That Corner Of My Garden Poem by Deborah E Cox

Heavy-cloud turmoil
I wander outside to assess
post-storm damage

my Rose of Sharon
pregnant with heavy foliage
has scattered verdant blooms
proclaiming with storm fury,
“how dare you assault our
ears with such noise, scatter
us daringly with your wind? ”

Blossoms, tinged red veins
yellow popcorn stamen, delicate pink
are my great grandmother’s
clippings shared over generations,
Main Street, Glendale Ave, Bronte Road, Lighthouse St.,
full circle, now
to my backyard
root-bound, rightful
spot in Port Dalhousie.

Keep a cutting, my aunt insisted
it will find root,
dismissive of gardens
I reluctantly embraced the gift
only because I couldn’t refuse.
- Rose of Sharon
plant of a different generation.

Flourishing neglect
infrequent watering
wrong location
too strong winds
it survives
as do Graham women
in this family

discards its opulent petals
celebrates gardens
defies my disinterest
demands no applause for beauty.