i have two succulents
living with me
on 2701 grand avenue south.
one is tall and sure and stretching.
the other is full and ample and branching.
these past few weeks,
as the temperatures
bite
and mornings mean
leaving the comfy cave
of rest that’s kindly held me
during the blackness of night,
to enter the air of chill
that hovers and hangs in my room.
and this morning,
as my head peaks out
to test the gelid temps
i wondered about my resident succulents.
outside icicles cling to
buildings, garages,
rubbish bins, tree branches.
coldness envelops us
as it often does this time of year.
and this morning,
I worry for my 2 resident succulents.
when the sun comes out
{only ever so rarely}
i rush them to that sun soaked spot.
my resident succulents
speak their appreciation because they
continue to grow.
Green.
despite the cold.
taller & wider they reach.
when the shine comes out
i too rush to rearrange myself accordingly.
i also crave the sun’s warm attention.
when you are meant for warmth
how can you grow in the depths of winter?
i appreciate their Greenness.
maybe, I am even a bit envious of it.
no color is like Green. None.
Green is the perfect color to allow
absorbing & defining
of oneself.
it’s gentle yet firm.
it’s inviting yet knowing.
it’s comforting and never overwhelming.
it not afraid to adjust according to seasons
all the while always remaining itself.
this morning i wonder
for my 2 green resident succulents.
how can you grow, keep growing, keep reaching
when the climate engulfs, inhaling the life
when the air is less than ideal
when the surroundings confuse your core
when what’s home becomes foreign
when you can hardly breathe
how can you?
grow.
today i brought them to the warmest
most comfortable part of 2701 grand avenue south.
to the center of all things.
the kitchen table.
today they will sit
side by side.
in the shine of the sun.
with their green leafs stretching.
touching.
despite the imperfect space,
the confusion, the thin and fragile air,
even if gasping for air is the best
you can do
know this.
there is more in you
than you think.
and despite the enveloping circumstances
your green will still shine.
your roots will still dig.
and that small patch of sun
will touch something
deep inside
& you will be reminded that
all will indeed be well.
it will.
growing.
reaching.
stretching.
even in the harshness of circumstances
cold & winter.
Life is here.
- n.
