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Poinsettia

The poinsettia is such a magnificent plant With bright red fronds, yellow-colored centers Poinsettia trees growing tall like blazing towers In Tanzania, we saw these gorgeous flowers. I mentioned we pay a fortune for one blossom And, I have never been able to keep one alive, My guide said, “Here they are free! There, go pick enough of them to fill a room, they thrive!” written December 24, 2021 [Thinking of my translator Clement, who had such a wonderful sense of humor.]

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 12/28/2021 4:06:00 AM

I have never been able to keep one alive either, but I can kill any house plant just by looking at it.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/28/2021 7:37:00 AM

Deb was the same way. She would pass a houseplant and immediately decide it needed water. She would drown them. We could never have them because of that. Now, I have six or seven plants in my living room. I love them. They survive with benign neglect!

Rico Leffanta

Date: 12/25/2021 10:35:00 AM

You should have collected Tanzanite, as that endures with just admiration!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/25/2021 4:12:00 PM

Actually, I've been there three times and it has always been against the law to bring tanzanite out of the country, so I never tried to sneak it through customs. You can buy tanzanite here in the state rather inexpensively now.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/25/2021 9:56:00 AM

They need shelter from the wind and rain. My husband transplanted one into a larger pot and it lived and bloomed for four years before some kind of insect killed it. I am growing more this year in his memory. I enjoyed your poem Milton. Merry Christmas! Blessings xxoo

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/25/2021 9:58:00 AM

Thanks so much, Connie. I've tried about everything, but I can't keep a poinsettia over. I have several very healthy houseplants, but just can't succeed with that beauty. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.