Poetry

An Ode to My Valentine Begonia

by

Mathew Friday

We met at work on Valentine’s Day;
we were both crying out for affection.
You were bent over, withered and twisted
like an old spinster; everyone ignored you
but I felt that last sap of life beating
deep in your hardened stem. I took

You home, got you drunk, put you
to bed. I made the earth move for you.
A few days later your old branches bulged;
you pushed out new shoots, fresh leaves,
crinkly baby hands opening. You cried
out for more nourishment and grew.

By spring you had sprung back into life.
You thanked me with a bunch of pink flowers.
And now from your base two new baby stems
have started to grow. Only a few inches high,
already they have leaves. You are thriving.
I am happy. It only takes a little bit of love.