Stem-fed stem-feeding factories alive in the air
pull energy from the sun
pull water and minerals from the earth
to build themselves
and roots and flowers and fruit.
An exquisite geometry
grooms every petal and vein
fans up in three dimensions
while competing in four
with every neighbor
for airspace and sunlight.
They employ strategies
of shape and color and texture,
delicacy or density,
to finish cycles of a minute or a day or a year
as they thrive
to amaze and delight human eyes.