Bitterroot: a fragile flower

Montana has a flower

Grown high on rocky ground

Pale pink in life, frail white in death

Gold buried to be found.

Her root is dug for food

To mix with elk and deer

A  fragile flower, you said I was

Before you knew my fear.

Upon the snowy slope

Amidst the sage and sky

A bitter root awaits the spring

A flower blooms to die.

                        February, 2006