Nyctinasty

Tiptoe softly through the tulips.

I was conversatin' with my friend Novel and she had some sage and ponderingly curious thoughts.

"Most of my deep and haunting thoughts", she said, "the stories which I write that would make creators cringe, have been sitting in my draft box for the past four-ish years since I have been on Vocal".

"Why don't you publish them, you never know, maybe those are the ones that could win you accolades. I have noticed that personal stories are the ones that win hearts here". I vociferated excitedly.

"True, but I don't feel that brave...I think that I would maybe feel like a shrinking violet, a mimosa plant...only I would shrink in the day and only unfold at night, so no one would truly ever see me again". She laughs at her silliness.

"True, I sometimes feel like that too". I mused.

"Yet, I have seen a lot of really valiant souls, unabashedly pen the depths of their frustrations, failures, triumphs and past experiences here. I bet they feel quite liberated for sharing with like minds here".

Nodding, then shaking her head vigorously from side to side, Novel said..."Nyctinasty".

"Um! What's that, sounds like a made up word or a sneeze". We both laughed.

"In the Caribbean we call it the 'dead and wake' plant, it folds on itself when you touch it. The lovely mimosa plant is a favorite of mine".

....

"Nyctinasty" - A song

(Chorus)

I'm the mimosa, shrinking in the sun,

A tender soul, undone, undone.

But as the stars rise, I find my way,

Unfolding softly where shadows lay.

V1.

Deep down inside, are we all mimosas

Folding and unfolding

Like a deepfelt song of a people who

Like the mimosa in nyctinasty...so very fragile,

Feels the need for shrinking by day, and

unfolding at nights like the petals of a dainty flower

(Chorus)

I'm the mimosa, shrinking in the sun,

A tender soul, undone, undone.

But as the stars rise, I find my way,

Unfolding softly where shadows lay.

V2.

Such a profound and poetic concept,

The metaphor of the mimosa plant

Its nyctinastic movements

beautifully capturing emotions of vulnerability

and the desire for solace in one's own timing.

Let’s shape this idea into a heartfelt song.

Here and now is a great place for shouting our plan

(Chorus)

I'm the mimosa, shrinking in the sun,

A tender soul, undone, undone.

But as the stars rise, I find my way,

Unfolding softly where shadows lay.

V3.

The Mimosa whispers in the light of day,

I fold away, fragile threads am I, I hide.

From a world too loud, I close my bloom,

Seeking shelter in the night’s soft plume.

(Chorus)

I'm the mimosa, shrinking in the sun,

A tender soul, undone, undone.

But as the stars rise, I find my way,

Unfolding softly where shadows lay.

(Verse 4)

Voices call, but I retreat,

The noise of life, a pounding beat.

Let me hide where silence grows,

A fragile heart, so no one knows.

(Chorus)

I'm the mimosa, shrinking in the sun,

A tender soul, undone, undone.

But as the stars rise, I find my way,

Unfolding softly where shadows lay.

(Gently into Bridge)

Oh, the moonlight understands,

It cradles me in gentle hands...

In whispers it tells me...it's okay,

To find my strength when night meets day.

(Finale from daylight to nighlife)

So if you see me enfold within,

Know it's not where my story begins.

For...

Like the mimosa, the elegant French lentil

And the wonderous Persian silk tree

I’ll one day rise,

Opening petals bravely to the softest of skies.