I am a dandelion
so fragile and weak
easy to break and fall apart
when I get hurt
a soft petal breaks off
drops to the cold harsh ground
this continues over time
'til all my petals have fallen
and my truth self is revealed
my mask gone forever
bearing my inner truth for all the world to see

when one careless being's footstep crushes me
again and again it goes
I am cracked
my stem split, my weak center wrinkled
I sag closer to the grass
I am not like a rose
jabbing all who tries to hurt me with sharp pointy thorns
I am defenseless
I take all in
without any say

I can be shattered, crumbled
with the clap of thunder
warning for a storm
because there is nothing to protect me
from the world's menacing realities
except for my soft, small petals
soon they will be gone