Pink and white azalea blossoms
fall with the gentlest breeze-
A soft blanket on dark, rich soil
Soon, the foundation of
roots, stems, and leaves
will be all that remains
of them until next Spring
Newly planted Bubblegum
Pink Petunias, the babies
of this small flower bed
Huddle quietly, calmly
waiting for roots to take hold
so they can dance, dance, dance
Joseph’s Coat, variety
Alternanthera Chartreuse-
Bright, young, and green,
Their faithful protector
Countless lifetimes
lived in one minuscule
fragment of rich terra firma
Capacity for growing
Capacity for living
Capacity for dying
Capacity for remembering
Tag: roots
Painted Maps
Red clay roots
Must run deep
I can’t think of
Any other reason
For your vibrancy
A fiery reddish orange
Creating community
Wherever you grow-
In some instances
Grouped together
In small bouquets
To mark celebrations
Or remembrances
Most of the time
Woven amongst
Blades of green grass
A colorful lace carpet-
Unafraid to share
Your birthplace
A variety of colors
Dances with you
On the breeze-
Pale pinks
Lovely lilacs
Sunwashed yellows-
Welcomed as part
Of your family-
Imagine I was a bird–
Gliding overhead
Following painted maps
A witness to your beauty
A witness to the power
Of shared roots across
Uncommon ground
