Passion for Stinkin’ Plants That Will Die Anyway
84 degrees in the shade and I
drag my tooth-just-extracted self
to the garden store so all the
folks at church will see that
I am really making an effort
on the parsonage to… why
am I here? Oh, yeah, to buy plants
One purple, something pink, posy, daisy,
varietals, variegated, annuals, manually
cartsweatpushed to checkout
Then to the smoldering car
Four windows down and still
sweat pours through cleavage
pooling in my belly button
Home, quick, dig, plant, hose
A real Choo-Choo-Charlie effort
or is it “I think I can…?”
I start stripping at the door,
long line of socks, shorts,
shirt, until
(still in underwear)
I drench clenching teeth
in cold water shower.
Was it all a mirage?
No, merely stupidity
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Fireblossom at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads wanted our passions. Well, the point behind this was more like Protestant guilt to try and “homey up” our new pastoral residence, but hey, the passion is what you make of it! Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
brian miller
ha. sounds like you might have overdone it a bit today amy…smiles…happens to all of us…so much expected of us…dang on the tooth extraction, that is no joke…had one a few years back and that will mess you up…a wonder you did not put yourself into shock in a cold shower either…ha…bet you sleep good tonight though…smiles.
Tim Keen
Just for the church?
The tooth thing is…well, it’s a tooth thing and I am sorry about that.
Good to check in on you again. I hope it all works out and the plants live. They will appreciate it.
Tim
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, being a pastor’s wife is tricky. Since the back of our house faces the entrance, I want things to look nice. It’s a small but meaningful gesture to the senior members…
Yeah, teeth are a drag. Mine are made of chalk after all those years of secondhand smoke in clubs. Thanks for the good wishes! Amy
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com
I sympathise, but you’d really have been better lying in a cool room with a good book – that’s just too hot for newly planted flowers. Your title says it all!
kaykuala
It’s still mission accomplished. A lot can still be done on this sweltering summer days.It takes great resolve but you’ve done well to show it’s not a problem. Keep at it, Amelita! Wonderful take!
Hank
Roger Green
That is why I don’t garden!
Sherry Blue Sky
like me, you pick the heat of summer to tackle such things. cackle. love the photo.
ihatepoetry
Ha! You’re hysterical! But I understand the impulse. I said I was going to do it, so …. cool off babe.
SaraV
You can’t fool me, I know you love plants 🙂 excellent poem–thank you for the smile
Hannah Gosselin
Oh, the time wasted pleasing others…great write. Smiles to you and hope you’re well.
Sharp Little Pencil
Actually, the darned things are starting to… dare I say it… BLOOM! Wow! In clay soil, whodathunkit? All is well in the new house; thanks for asking, hon.
Hannah Gosselin
Wow…yay to blooms!!! Life perseveres doesn’t it? *sigh* Glad you went ahead and planted. xoxo
Sharp Little Pencil
Hannah, I’m so embarrassed! Although the two brown-eyed Susans bit the dust quite rapidly, the rest are thriving, including the cat mint, planted just for the “neighborhood kitty,” Rolfus, who wanders from yard to yard. So yes, life will find away, even at my hands! Love, Amy
Hannah Gosselin
I’m the same way!! Or I plant and then forget to do anything else to help it along! The resilient ones thrive! 😉 Rolfus sounds like he has a children’s story in his adventures… 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
SISTERHOOD of the Grey Thumb! Welcome!
Believe it or not, Rolfus is a girl. Do clue about the name; have to talk to owners. Have a feeling this was a “neighborhood cat” they wanted to get vaccinated and give shelter in the snow, which is nice. She wanders around all year long, and she is a SLUT for scratching.
Lex found out Rolfus was a girl… when he saw an alley cat having his way with her. Not sure if that would go in children’s book, ha ha ha. Love you, Amy
Hannah Gosselin
Oh, Amy!! His/her story thrills me no end!! Thank you for sharing this with me…first smile of the morning here and a great way to start the day. Love you lots!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hannah, you have given me so many smiles over the years… glad to oblige! Peace, Amy