English: An orchid as a decorative houseplant. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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!
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
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