two days ago, i chopped back

the ailing plant of mint

that lives on my back porch

 

leaves blackened from too

much water perhaps as i

forgot to empty its saucer

after recent heavy rains

 

while not an expert

on plant related things,

i knew enough to trust

in the tenaciousness of mint

that my mauling would not

end its stubborn reign

 

but lo & behold, this morn

there were already tiny leaves

sprouting fierce all around

and was reminded that

in nature and in every

living thing—things are

not always what they seem

 

things that are broken—can mend

fears that exhaust us—can end

hearts where hope appears dead

can rise up unexpected

covered with blankets

of fresh leaves

 

heather pound 2024