Poppy

Surrounding the bulbous black
bullseye bristling with seed
are crimson crepe paper petals,
delicate as a child, 
falling to fluttering fragments
of fragrant confetti promise,

bowing low upon its stage:
a resplendent actor showering 
in grateful applause
of an adoring audience
in the hot stare of God's
heavenly spotlight.

Sheila Sim, English actress, was born today in 1922.

Ronald Reagan, American actor and 40th President of the United States, died today in 2004.