Hollyhocks have been growing

Outside my kitchen window

For fifty years. Even

Before my house was built

They flourished next to the shack

That stood in its place.

Tall blossoms with carnivorous dinner plate smiles

In yellow white and ruby

Higher than my cat they grow

Taller than me

Flower faces spy through the kitchen window

Watching me

They act indifferent

But I know better

I know that hollyhocks were here first

And will dance on my grave.