New Work - Monotypes and Painting

rose garden

Love left a potted rose plant 
at my door today

as a house warming gift

The note attached 

my first welcome home

Small delicate flowers

gossamer pink

surrounded by intense veridian 

Slowly the leaves have died

brown creeping up the stems

the blossoms have dried 

and fallen

The light from my windows is not strong enough 

my winter sun not warm enough 

The water and soil supplied

isn't nurturing enough

I sing to her

but it must not be in the language she speaks 

for she is unresponsive

I cannot 

locate 

her heartbeat

I don't know what she needs

I wish I knew what to feed her

The blossoms on my friends cheeks

were surrounded by veridian bruises 

back in highschool

Backwards backwoods teaching

about what happens when you speak your mind

or dare to be who you are

She dared to come out first

Bravely payed the price for the rest of us

but I still carry the punching bags around in my mind

Southpaws of cynicism 

stealing idealism

from the possibilities

of delicacy 

soft pink that could blossom 

within my thoughts instead

I keep trying to

bob and weave 

my way out of that jaded corner

My hands up at all times

Trying to anticipate 

the knockout clock

that keeps me in wait

I am in the midst 

of my match

I am trying so hard to 

turn over those veridian leaves

Inspect the anatomy of the tender underbelly

within those exposed veins is the new language to be learned

Soft cillia that whisper sweet nothings 

and nothing is sweeter than gentle fingertips

but pretty hard to handle such fragile foliage

with boxing mitts on

Golden gloves are revered with pride

but they are heavy

A weight that taints

the sugar bowl

which was full to begin with

but what do I do with soured sugar

I am tired of drinking lemonade

It doesn't make the roses bloom

I am tired of fighting with my mind

It doesn't make my house a home

I am tired of having blood on my knuckles

I would rather push them into the dirt

How do I switch from defense to offense 

Must I swing my way out 

Sound the bell

Round is over 

Please Let me exit the ring

This greenthumb is meant for more than just 
bringing back the dead

Sweet rose plant is still alive

and this champ 

wants to plant 

a rose garden