One by one they fell

like brave soldiers in combat zone

for months I’d cherished their growth, their beauty

regularly strengthening each one with care 

 

Their colour was luminous, 

deep magenta, vibrant and striking , 

manicured in uniform,  a glossy dance of alignment

sparkling symmetry completed a professional finish

top coat polished, the perfect set

 

Some fell unexpectedly

others just knew it was their time and laid down their arms

lockdown and my fingernails are a battlefield, 

crimson crushed, dead shellac, 

the latest victim,  a casualty of our time