Hardy Hibiscus

Floppy as Scarlett O'Hara's favorite hat
and almost as large as her favorite hoop skirt,
a color too bright for polite society
but not for hummingbirds
or bees--
or me.
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Petals like paper
a ball gown's pleats and ruffles
dance away summer.
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Memory of a three-inch pot
with a five-inch flower,
hope of hot pink amazement yet to come.