Parable of the Parable
I’ve got stuck with it
since the first day:
the absolute parable
of the tulip
in the vase
slowly opening its petals
from early morning until
dusk when it folds them
with a soft stirring
and becomes blossom again.
The same yesterday
and the day before.
Fully bloomed
and then close to sundown
a blossom again.
An easily accepted parable
of perpetual rebirth,
perpetual adolescence
the tulip in the vase. Indeed.
On the fifth or sixth day
I noticed
signs of tiredness because
of the blooming and folding
some signs of dryness.
Luckily there was nothing
to be concerned with
and for this I was surprised
on the seventh day
when no blossom or flower
appeared while
the breathless petals
spread over the table.
Then, the poor flower is gone
its preaching is gone
the whole parable too.
Yet, if nothing else
I’ll keep this
new parable.
Manolis Aligizakis 