Plant Talk

 Plant Talk

The tallest tree reaches up toward the ceiling,

swaying as the kitten climbs its narrow trunk,

making an appetizer of some lower leaves. 

“Why don’t they eat your leaves?, she asks,

glancing down at her shorter neighbor.

“Sorry about that”, says the ficus.

“But soon we’ll get carried outside.

We’ll be safe there for the next 6 months!”

In the next room, a plethora of seedlings

push up into the light and nod to their new neighbors.

“Who are you?” says the tiny green cabbage.

“I’m the daughter of a mighty cucumber,”

says the large bud just pushing out of the soil.

“I’ll be longer than you, but shorter.

Do you hear that music coming through the wall?”

“I like it,” says the cabbage. “Makes me feel like growing strong!”

Meanwhile the multitude of tiny poppy sprouts,

packed too closely together, murmur to their sisters,

“Let me have some room!” And a less crowded dill plant

says “Don’t worry. She’ll be in soon to separate you.

Brace yourselves. It’s a bit tough, but soon you’ll be happy.”

The large night-blooming cirius plant high above the seedlings

whispers to her daughter, “Watering time is coming soon.

Hang in there! We’ll get more than those tiny plants.”

And so it goes in the house full of plants.

Sunlight comes through the south windows,

spring is moving closer and temperatures rise.

Soon many of these baby seedlings will be ready

to populate the outdoor gardens and come to fruition.

With the rain and the wind and sun and soil

to help them along, they will grow up to their mature selves,

beautiful and thriving, filling the world with vigor and green.