Christopher Askew

 

Love & Snapdragons

 

These are the snapdragons

I nursed back from death—

they finally bloomed,

but only for a week.

 

I decided they’d grow better

in deeper soil. This required hours

of digging out buttercups—those things

can really take over, like bindweed.

 

I also planted my one moonflower

for the year—the last viable seed

from the handful you gave me

some bright and blooming year gone past.

 

Those other bulbs are hyacinths—

I ‘m not sure yet where—or if—

we’ll plant them—our snapdragons

are in their third year in temporary pots.

 

It crossed my mind

that they might become perennial

with the thermal mass of the cement porch

and a brick planter—

 

but that sounds like a commitment

you’re not ready for yet.