The white crepe myrtle sparkles after the rain,

It’s petals washed as white as snow.

It’s deep green leaves shimmer in the wind .

It is beautifully unselfconscious.

It has achieved this glorious state of life,

To grow up where the rains rain and the soil is rich.

The result: success.

And yet it never boasts,

But calmly shares its grace with the sun and rain

And passers-by, like me.

I, too, have been rained on today,

And walking, til now, with my head down,

Feeling rumpled,

But my wet skin is cooled,

And freshened, and maybe I am beautiful, too,

To a few of the passers-by.

But will I achieve the greatest result

If I can convince myself 

How lovely I am,

And yet, not glory in it?

-jenn