Tulips

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The tulips were fine

until someone came along

with a Sharpie and drew

smiley faces on them.

The ink stung and burned as

they writhed in agony, 

shriveling until there was nothing left

but black.

They died.

Were gone.

Expired.

Took up space in someone's 

graveyard.

Eaten by worms.

But what if they could still feel it?

What if they weren't dead,

just had retreated to their subconscious?

They would feel every bite,

every stomp,

every "ick" carelessly thrown their way.

And then they'd want to die.

But without a body,

how can you kill yourself?

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