Early in life I was given a seed
it was for a very special flower
to blossom but once a decade
and then to hibernate till the next.

At first I planted it in fertile ground
and watered it as in the instructions
each day I cleared away the weeds
thinking my what care I've given it.

For one, two, three, four years daily
did I tend this rare special flower
my friends would come by and laugh
saying, "I was a fool to give such care."

Five, six and seven years went by
but even I could see but little growth
and my efforts though put forth daily
now were not as intense as at the first.

Soon years eight and nine went away
and yes my care waned as time passed
I listened to my friends joining them
while the instructions sat idle in my room.

Finally the tenth year came and went;
of course there was no special flower
I had not stayed the course to the end
having wavered, I was not fully obedient.

Sadly I look at my little flower now dead
and take another seed from the packet
to begin again to follow the instructions
this time committed to endure to the end.