Kansas Hibiscus
She watched her move
The potted Chinese Hibiscus inside,
Sliding it over the not yet frozen ground,
Hefting it slowly over the six wood back steps,
Resting and breathing,
Hands on hips.
Each year she would think of helping.
But she didn’t
And this time she could tell,
She was really struggling.
No one was there to help her.
Years ago she had told her-
“Scarlet Rose Mallow.
Only plant it. Cut it back late fall
And leave it in the ground.”
But her friend hadn’t listened.
She hadn’t listened to other things.
But they were neighbors
And she was from the west.
They don’t listen,
Everybody knew.
Her neighbor had even been surprised
When she had buried her husband
In the back
With a simple stone
Next to a row of them.
She could see them bloom,
Five petals for each of their children,
And sit with him anytime, any weather.
Her western neighbor
Had to go all the way to the
Church cemetery
And shiver or hide under a parka.
So today,
After the struggle was over,
She made some tea
And walked the distance
Cups and saucers on a tray,
Imperfectly matched and unbalanced.
It was about time
They put differences aside.
Copyright © Douglas Brown | Year Posted 2017
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