The Care and Keeping of Fragile Things

Thank you for the hibiscus--

gorgeous, like May weekends.

Like you.

Truth is, I’ve had bad luck

keeping hibiscus alive.

But I’ll tackle hibiscus care

anew, tending

each fragile flower,

my gift from you.

Truth is, you were gorgeous

like a hibiscus, or an angel,

but hard to keep alive.

I was unprepared

for how fragile

you were. I read books,

lost sleep, prayed to angels

that you would wake

each morning.

Now, your wild hair flying,

long legs running,

stronger-every-day arms

wrapped around Mama--

Mama’s heart wrapped around yours,

remembering

you can be broken still.

You’re fragile, we are fragile,

flowering still.