Sputterpub's Blog

The price I pay for shade is bloom delay.
The cost of filtered sun is leggy limb.
The plants are healthy, by and large, today,
but parasols of eucalyptus dim
the light intensity, as redwood arms
and jacaranda branches modulate
the brilliant zap that gooses as it warms.
And so my plants extend beyond their weight.

I tried to do them right. I cut them back
aggressively for winter, and I fed
them nutrients and water in the spring.
Defending them (no toxins) from attack,
I wanted denser roses but instead,
I got this balance-challenged blossoming.

The garden needs a pruning now, because
too little rain all winter had me turn
the sprinklers on so early. We’ll have laws
or regulations soon that we decrease
consumption, and we hope it’s just a pause,
but honestly, I think our climate’s toast.
Too few regard environmental flaws.
Too late are most apparently to learn.
I’d better bathe before the flow withdraws.

(Magic 9)