HOUSEWARMING

My geraniums are growing.
I never would have bought myself a plant —
they're a pain in the neck and they always die.
But my aunt and uncle
brought me these two living things.
Housewarming presents.
One with bright red flowers
that go very well with my color scheme.
In fact, this one actually won me over.
The other had fuchsia flowers
which oddly offended me.
No problem, since within two days
the flowers had all fallen off.
Leaves shriveled and turned yellow.
It was just a matter of how long to wait
before I could throw them out in good conscience.
I am fond of my aunt and uncle.
So I kept my little houseguests
longer than I might have.
Even gave them water when it occurred to me.
Wouldn't you know
the spunky little things recovered?
Bright green crinkly sproutings
coming out of the stems.
New ones every day.
Growing so fast,
I could see the difference in hours.
But three days ago, I became really hooked.
Ohmygosh, those aren't just green things.
They're buds.
Flower buds.
I'm going to have a flower.
But nature will have the last laugh.
It's the fuchsia one that's putting forth the flowers.


© Ellen Azorin