My mother and I,

killed the first orchid we were given.

We are not a houseplant

sort of family.

What we grow

is out in a field,

thrown from the back of a tractor

and carefully monitored

for pH,

pot-ash deficit,

mineral level adjustment-

All to ensure optimal production

when the combine

finally drives through the gate.

I have yet to see

my mother send off soil samples,

for the daffodils

my grandmother planted in the garden.

But then again,

normally the rabbits

will have them

before the month is out.

---

We killed the orchid by overwatering it, and sticking it in a window sill. We have got better with orchids since then, we have managed to keep one alive for just over a year!

Related articles

• NaPoWriMo Day Nine (caroljforrester.wordpress.com)
• NaPoWriMo Day Eight (caroljforrester.wordpress.com)
• NaPoWriMo 2013- #12: She (ungiornonellavita.wordpress.com)