alone in the garden

I have always thought of my 2019 NaPo to be my favorite, these benedight flowers. I figured this year I can try to modify this idea with more plants and flowers that are currently blooming or are in my neighborhood. If I can get some real pictures too, then I'll be embedding them along with the poem c:

I am hoping to write at least 10 poems c:

Past NaPos:
24 - the beauty of the untold.
23 - light, ethereal, bliss, awe.
22 - a summation of my schooling
21 - stuck behind the scenes, between the notes.
20 - i liked it better when my fears were faceless
19 - these benedight flowers
18 - my hopes are as strong as bubbles

entry one: prayer fishbone plant
entry two: yellow orchid
entry three: snake plant

Spoiler

(in my own house / garden / neighborhood)

- plumeria (multiple colors!)
- milkweed
- bulbs
- peach tree
- mums
- poinsettia
- lemon tree
- fire bamboo - ish plant ?
- bird of paradise
- succulent (3-4)
- mini snake plant
- big bush plant
- vines
- pomegranate tree
- big flowering tree
- cactus
- grass

entry one: prayer fishbone plant

Spoiler

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description: bowed over, dual-sided plant. has light-green leaves with dark green sections on the top side of the leaf, and has medium-purple leaves with the same pattern in darker purple underneath or on the bottom side of the leaf.

notes:

you're dual-sided, like a door, or a quarter, or a piece of paper.

yet, you don't have multiple uses or distinctions or importance like this list of objects. in fact, you have only one: grow. expand. advance.

you spread too wide with too many identically colored dark green overlaying light-green leaves that you run out of space in your pot.

unlike the door, you have to close off all thoughts besides seeking the sunlight, but only indirect light at that -- you're selfish; you want to keep your pattern all to yourself.

a coin can be used to determine the start of a game. your two sides are quiet, hiding your true self from the world as your leaves are constantly bowing and hiding your true self.

and, finally, as paper can be used to send a message or to explain one's thoughts, you instead seek a specific purpose. one cannot seek what they cannot know.

and all of that rests in the simple act of reaching leaves for the light beams shining through the windows.

entry two: yellow orchid

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description: 3 light yellow flowers, 1 yellowing leaf, 2 small green leafs and 3 main winding roots.

notes:
you were a welcome gift,
or a forget-me-not moment
from your past owners
who left you behind.

you carried a scarred leaf
for a year after the window
blinds crashed down.

yet you remain.

that first year though,
your sunshine-colored petals
opened wide and proud.

ever since, you have less flowers,
less long, dark-green healthy leaves
to frame your pot.

and, now, you have only three.
i fear when you’ll have none.

Spoiler

@alliyah Thank you so much for the comment! I was going back and forth on how to format these poems, but I like the current one haha. I've been rusty from not writing a lot of poems lately, but I'm trying to get back into the practice. Looking forward to reading your collection as well this year c:

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entry three: snake plant

description: a mixture of short and taller sprouts, some bending over and ending with a tapered leaf, others standing upright and having a small point, organized in small clusters.

notes:

you are an acquired gift, one reminiscent of an old plant i used to have.
they had outgrown every pot i placed them carefully in,
every place around my house i could give them more space.

your history is unique, being in one of my borrowed classrooms of three
that witness various classes of students daily, including those that
threw you on the floor and spread your dirt throughout the space.

but you keep growing, as a smaller plant now in a more hardy pot
and living still on the front desk for me to check on you.

your calm energy and presence reminds that all of these events
happening and stress building up does truly shape who you are
and who you might be able to become.

i grow with you.