Geranium

Last summer
I adopted a Geranium

At a market stall
it stood
half-withered
and forgotten

I took it home

Under gentle hands
it unfolded its proud stem
once more
it grew a crown
of flaming purple

...all summer...

You loved Geraniums
old-fashioned
lovably stuffy
reliable
a sign of home

and I loved you

...all summer...

In autumn
you left
the plant and me

It blossomed
all autumn
in hope of
your return

Winter found it
still outside
unprotected
uncared for
it simply died
of exposure.