This morning I was here at 4 o'clock
- My Former's house -- so She could catch a plane
While both the kids were sleeping like a rock.
I came, She left, and here I am again.
A huge, unkempt forsythia is gone.
The dogwood it surrounded looks relieved.
A vine had taken over, hanging on
And choking everything. Its near-achieved
Destruction had been going on for years.
Before the kids were born, I'd kept it back
By crawling underneath, in spite of fears
Of ticks (and Lyme) and giving it a whack
In several spots where I had found a root.
But taking care of children made it hard
To stay with such a barely-loved pursuit.
I hardly had the time to mow the yard.
So, patiently, the vine continued growing.
I witnessed, while forsythia decayed.
And creepers scouted dogwood, fully knowing
That they would take whatever they invade.
I guess the job was reasonably priced.
The whole forsythia was sacrificed.
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Comments
Maybe just the season for that forsythia to die -- and for a new one to be planted. Makes me think of that old Bird's song "Turn, Turn, Turn." It was the Billboard #1 hit on the day I was born.
'nother good one DB!
"But taking care of children made it hard
To stay with such a barely-loved pursuit."
I certainly relate to that! I can barely hold on to the pursuits I love as a parent. Very Nice2MeetU!
And creepers scouted dogwood, fully knowing
That they would take whatever they invade.
I keep focusing on what decays and what remains.
Hello tril - I saw your pitch for me on Sparking's blog. Thank you so much. And I love how you read these every day.
Hi sweetfeet. Yes indeed, the yard. Were it not for the ticks, I would've let the woods take over years ago.
Hi PattyJane. I love your phrase, "carnival of forsythia". I wish I'd used it. But the forsythia was no longer mine. I'm going to try sunflowers at my place, this year.
Hello BEG, haven't seen you in a while. The images were taken verbatim, right out of real life. One I couldn't fit into the poem: the vine had actually grown so much that it was weighing down the forsythia. Thanks for reading -- I am very happy you stopped by.
Hi rita. Thank you. It is always a pleasure to see your comments here. Thanks for the virtual pat on the back.
Hello ladyslipper. Your name is new to me -- welcome, welcome. Yes, I have remorse enough to spread around. Thanks for coming by, and thank you, sincerely, for your compliments.
Hi Sparking. I have read several of your posts, and have meant to come back by. Your story is so moving, I was bashful about my small experience. Thank you for coming here. And yes, trilogy is a great ice-breaker.
Hello scupper. In a literal reading? The dogwood is troubled, but better off for the loss. Both forsythia and creepers are gone.
Thank you, everyone, for coming by. I celebrate that you are merely reading this blog. The comments are an even greater gift.