The following creative writing piece is a haiku to vignette, written by contributing writer Sarah Casperson.

Haiku: 

When I stand tall, proud,

They take advantage of me, 

But that is my choice

Vignette:

I am the unwanted. Holding out all of my accomplishments for people to see. Only for them to take what is mine. They ought to be excited to see this stem sprout, seeing me finally open to them, revealing who I truly am.  It doesn’t matter anymore. 

Heavy petals on my shoulders, trying to avoid dropping these delicate things. Standing throughout all weathers, all trials. Unsure of where this dedication came from, for myself? Or for them? 

Not one person cares where you come from, but only who you appear to be . Falling carelessly as all of my petals fall, revealing a bland stem. No one cares to look anymore. Without these petals I am nothing, not anything at all.