After the long winter
I was so anxious about my houseplants
That on the first warm day
I carried them out to the porch
Said to them
Now you will be happy
They looked at me quizzically
It still might freeze at night
The aloe plant said.
Don’t be such a nervous Nellie
I responded
Don’t be such a prickly pessimist.
The jade plant, the big one, laughed
And all the tiny succulents in designer pots tittered.
So I left them
Basking in the sun
That night
The temperature dropped precipitously
I could hear coughs and murmurs from the porch
Ignored them
In the morning I took a big watering can out
Ready to greet my plants
But every one was drooped in death
I’m sorry, I cried
There was no response.
Oh well I thought
I am sure they are in a better place.