Valerie Marquez
Lovingly grown from seeds Nurtured, tenderly cared for Until we were ready Old enough Strong enough Tall enough Forming our roots For the great outdoors Like a bride handed over To the care of another Leaving the warmth of the family home To branch out independent Expand our roots and grow Planted out Lovely warm spot, called a veggie plot Leaves blowing in the gentle summer breeze The very 1st night out Was to be our last The slugs had a field day As light turned to dark Come one, come all they called Easter, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas All wrapped up in one A festive season, for a festive feast Short lived marriage Overnight we went from Standing tall, upright, and strong, together To… Nothing… that’s right, nothing… All that work Not even the trace of a root No sign we ever existed The corns in a row Gone!