When Corona came, I was on Reunion Island
Indian Ocean environs, nearer native South Africa ...
Transplanted, I have planted a garden, thrived
Without any research, butternuts survived
But in my pot and that of a friend's -
We grew Mint, Coriander, Hot Peppers, Lentils
The last was a challenge: to clean off the chaff
Transplanted, I planted again in Africa
Marigolds, Neem, Geranium, even white Lilies
Categories:
butternuts, garden, health, identity, immigration,
Form: I do not know?
Saved my butternuts -
Day 2 for locust was last
As a boy I "loved" them!
Categories:
butternuts, 12th grade, animal, creation,
Form: Senryu
You Texas Cuspidata!
Not you, and not a curse:
Taxus cuspidata, for Japanese Yew!
So, don’t confuse a plant with the Ibex
Ilex serrata – that’s Christmas Holly
Or Japanese Winterberry
Butterflies, butternuts, a Buttinsky?
Shut your eyes, it’s Conocarpus erectus
(Pastor here is only saying "Buttonwood" in Latin)
Meanwhile in nature, the pines of Japan
Are dwarfed like bottled thunder:
Pinus thunbergiana
The Christmas Spirit is perennial in China (?)
Schinus terebinthifolius
(Again, Latin for another plant: Christmasberry)
Try to bonsai gladly;
A creeper in your home or villa;
Haha! Bourgainvillea glabra
My dad called this beauty, Pride of India!
Myrtle set me right, but India won at the end:
Laegerstroemia indica
Neighbors, boyhood buddies, international relations?
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry? No plant connection:
Just Hackberry named Celtis sinensis
(c) Modified 20170417, Deo. This poem was previously published in my book in 2005 (UnAmerican Education: Poetry and Politics, by Red Lead Press)
Categories:
butternuts, art, flower, garden, humor,
Form: Didactic