waiting to bloom

i went to see the tulips today. and there were lots, in every color. pinks, reds, yellows, purples, oranges, whites. and they were very beautiful. some had bloomed their little heads off and were done. most were mid-bloom, at their height of tulip beauty. and some were just waiting. whole rows of them. some of the whites, and the yellows. the time wasn't right, maybe they need more sun, or more warmth, or more rain. they were the shy flowers who weren't quite ready to make their big debut. and these are the most fascinating flowers because you can't quite tell what they'll be. already their green bud shape is lovely, but what about the petals hiding inside? are they smooth or frilly? and what about the color, pure or varigated? so easy to overlook in a rainbow of tulips, but if you notice, you can get hung up on them, waiting for them to bloom.