In My Care

I found him 

In full vibrancy at the University 

A striking leaf 

Disregarded in the winter 

Instantly, it was mine 

Left for no one else 

I can’t stop myself from a rare thing 

He needed a home 

My home

Overnight, he crinkled

Into something smaller 

Old pages of a book

A golden frame to capture him in something new 

The nerve I had 

To convince us both it needed to stay 

Crooked stem

Faded amber on his skin now 

I can’t stop myself from a broken thing 

This room is not his proper place 

In my rescue 

It won’t matter soon

I can’t stop myself from a helpless thing 

Pressed, onto the back of the frame

A new delicacy 

He will grow 

Into what I want him to 

In my care, he is better 

Right?....