how the cut tulip stands

tall

fistfully defying all that

contains her

beauty opening full as the world

innermost

yellow heart and black thoughts  

the weight of

colour

breaking her back

the edge of her

folding

as she bows, wiser

to the world

‘Women, prominent in the field of florists’ pinks, seemed to have little to do with tulips. The Miss Dalton who, at Lancaster Tulip Show on 22 May, 1826, won first and second prizes…was a rarity’.  Anna Pavord, 2000, The Tulip: 205-6