Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Gardenia

Leaf from the Album "Dreaming of Traveling while in Bed (臥遊)"
ink and color on paper, 27.8 x 37.3 cm, Palace Museum, Beijing


On the high round table it stands;
small plant in a plastic pot
tender leaves
turn to the narrow window,
angled
to meet the faithful morning sun.

We water it daily,
carry it carefully
to the deep sink for a good, long drink
and then back to its own bright place
estranged from the wilder yard by double-pane.

Sudden as September,
it happens.

In the grey morning,
bathed in their own pure light
bright blooms, fragrant breath
of insistent life,

the sweet song
of survival.


(31 Oct. 2013)






2 comments:

  1. ...ah, very beautiful... that must have been a great moment to witness... to see beauty reached its full potential... loved that ending note of quite an achievement... yes, indeed a sweet song of survival... smiles...

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  2. Lovely writing, Steven. I used to be an avid (obsessive)gardener but as I now live in an apartment I have to make do with a few potted plants. They bring the best of the outside inside.

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