Strider's Songbook

[Zephyranthes]

Another page reveals a sketch of a small prefab home devoid of color, save for a large poinciana tree in front of it, towering beyond the roof of the metal abode. Its crimson flower petals are strewn across the front yard, mixed in with grayscale grasses and stones. The contrast of color pops out with rough crosshatching on each of the flowers and visible indentations from pressing hard into the page. In the windows of the house, two figures look out, their faces blurry. Dried tear drops dot the paper.

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The page next to it contains a poem composed of multiple haiku strung together. Underneath the poem, notes and personal entries.

Untitled

Poinciana buds,
The cold shifts to warmth;
Aflame with red life.

Poinciana blooms,
The flame, soaring high;
Green-red fills her eyes.

Poinciana dries,
The air grows cold, the light fades;
Will that light come back?

Poinciana bares,
Desolate, the world at rest;
Her red flame has gone.

Poinciana stays,
Ice melts, bark dries in the sun;
Embers glow anew.
NO.

"Don't remember their faces."
"Sad, but hollow. Like a memory of being sad."
"Were they mine to lose? Or hers?"
"Might be a way to save the rest. But do I want that?"

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