Another Amaryllis

I sag each year I stop watering the amaryllis 

to let it sleep, encourage it to sprout red flowers. 

Each year I wonder if this is its last year.

Every year, it blooms in February,

even when I put it to sleep in December.

It prefers to avoid the Christmas rush.

As I turn the pot so the new stem grows straight, 

I realize I'm another amaryllis - 

showing up late to the holiday party in a fancy red dress.

published in Medium