An illustration of a woman carrying flowers

The Perennials’ Perspective

I walked along the perennials
and asked them the secret to their effortless,
everlasting life.
The wind rushed through them
and they answered me.

we love to live,
we love to die,
whatever happens, the end is life. 

Those funny flowers made no sense at all. 

“But did you grow impatient,”
I asked,
“as you grew on the mound?
Did you feel fulfilled when you popped through the ground?
Were the rains your relief or did you fear you would drown?
When winter came and you couldn’t be found did it all feel pointless? Did the gardener let you down?” 

Another wind came,
cooler than before.
Soon they’d return,
back through death’s door. 

The leaves around were already changing
but those funny flowers
were still embracing the start and end to it all. 

we love to live,
we love to die,
whatever happens, the end is life. 

And suddenly, I was jealous
of the perennials’ perspective. 

Images via Annette Zuozo at Made by A

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