Martian Lotus 24

The gentle Martian breeze ripples the surface of the lake, sending a thousand tiny waves sparkling in the last light of day. In the center of the lake, on a bed of soft mud, stands a single lotus flower. Its petals are a deep crimson, almost black in the fading light. The center of the bloom is a bright golden yellow, like a miniature sun. As night falls and the stars come out, the lotus flower closes its petals and settles down to sleep until morning comes again.