Pink

Pink, pink like a fresh carnation
at the base it is dark, almost lavender
fading to peach where it separates
light reflects off its surface
lines of growth, parallel
lines of strength
not curved but multi-planed
as I touch it I passs
from one smooth plane to the next
quickly - they are many and slender

The tip is not quite white
and not quite even.
trimmed by wear and nervous habits
a little shorter on the left than on the right
in the middle is a rough spot
that someday may be a breaking point

Short enough to be very firm
It bends steel staples like they were straw
and makes a resonant "tinck"
when tapped on hard surfaces
tasting of soap after I wash.

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