The Wisdom of Plants

I love trees; they are
so stately and abiding.
Their majestic arms stretch
ever upwards, outward,
and onward, a marvel
while so stationary and stable,
with their roots reciprocally
reaching deep, sourcing nutrients
without ever moving a muscle.
They give to the world
what is essential for survival
simply by being alive and exhaling.
Is that why they are so satisfied
while never getting
a change of scene
or going anywhere for vacation?
They don’t chafe for
more money or appreciation,
or even resist getting thicker
at the waist every year.
Show me how to be
as content and effective as you
with where I am, and how well
I fulfill my purpose.

I love flowers; they are
so pert and beautiful,
patiently blooming
only when the moment is right,
never forcing their bud
ahead of season.
Unfolding with assured grace,
debonair in stylish color,
with flair they spend forth,
splurging all they have to offer
and suffer no sadness at receding
when it is another’s turn
for the sublime limelight.
By definition, we know them
by the height of their glory,
as indelible, irreplaceable,
celebrated, cherished,
and eagerly anticipated,
enduring ideas.
Teach me too how
to perennially pace myself,
owning my inherent fabulousness
as easily as I give it away.

I love herbs; they are
so modest, while bursting
with fabulous flavor.
How is their essence
so pungent
for purposes beyond
what they can even imagine?
What has basil ever tasted,
or dill, mint, and thyme savored?
Yet they give themselves
magnanimously to others,
contributing to deliciousness,
with such self-sacrificing chivalry,
uncomprehending
just how wonderful they are.
They tutor me to be
so deeply authentic
that I don’t even need to know
the lusciously delectable
reason or result.

I love grass,
that verdant green sward
which volunteers everywhere
needed or not. Flexible,
it looks great
manicured and mown,
or running wild in a meadow
with its hair blowing free
and tangling in the breeze.
Lowly, and hard to break,
bending and yielding
when trodden upon,
you spring back
with equanimity.
In meekness
you take over the earth,
conquering, by being
too small to bother thwarting,
and by operating ubiquitously
beneath everyone’s notice.
First to take the brunt
of the frost, you remain
tenacious enough to survive
where others wither and fail.
Instruct me in how to be
as pliable and resilient,
far reaching and successful,
while being so brilliantly
unconcerned and unassuming.

I’m not such a fan of weeds
with their audaciously
unfavorable reputations
but still I admire their
stalwart constitutions
and steadfast attitudes.
They must feel
so misunderstood
and under appreciated.
But they gain enough joy
from basic things
like sun and rain,
to be untroubled
and even untouched
by judgement, persecution,
disparagement, and derision.
They are persistent and strong,
completely confident
in their own worth, vigilant
about their divine right to be here.
Coach me to value myself, regardless
of what other people have to say.

May I learn these lessons well
as I daily move among these
chlorophyll sages.

by Polly Castor
08/19/2020