Orchids

I think of the orchids
             the solitary lives they live
a beauty that unless
             given pride of place
withers unknown
             and unloved

I think of time
             and the terror its exercises
on those who have everything
             to lose and nothing to gain
as it marches on relentlessly

either our lives change
             or we change our lives
we take control of the reins
             and live according to our choices
and love decisively
             for the moment and always
or we allow time to have
             the last laugh
which believe me
             is not funny