not-quite Journaling, 9
scabiosa—
yum
for butterflies,
bees
and me
3/22/2021: The first hint of color in my garden. I hope they’ll be fully bloomed by the time things get warm enough for butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and other pollinators.
Hoping
the
found
corpse
I planted
last
year sprouts pretty
tulips.
3/25/2021: The mystery bulb I found in someone else’s trash, last autumn, has grown 3 inches. It could be a daffodil, a hyacinth or something else… But I am sooo hoping for a tulip. Also, it’s possible that my favorite bit of The Waste Land, by T. S. Eliot: “Stetson! / You were with me in the ships at Mylae! /The corpse you planted last year in your garden, / Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year?” has been playing in my head nonstop. I blame it on the approach of April, which we all know is “the cruellest month”. 😁🌷
truth
is a wonder-
full
and terrific puzzle
to
self-decipher
3/27/2021: Someone I know (perhaps, a relative *cough*) told me that they were afraid to explore the whys behind the fact that they always reach for their purse, when a Black person sits next to them on the train. I was feeling uncommonly nice and didn’t point out that the phrase “racist in denial” came to mind. But later that day, the same person suggested that their behavior must’ve been triggered by something a Black person did to them in the past and that “God helped [them] forget the pain.” The blatant stupidity of the comment cured me of my niceness rather quickly. So, I sent them this poem and asked them to explore the evils of internalized racism and convenient self-deception.
3/26/2021:
They say, “Nothing can fill hollows the
world grew out of loss and misery.” And I laugh (ok, cackle), and they
think me mad, (and I probably am—I mean, what else could explain all
these commas?)—still, I stick thought and fingers and toes in dirt they’ve
tried to disdain, and I say, “Poor thing, you have never felt the power of wild
and woman: a Wild Woman makes herself a garden. She fills her-Self, and she
shares. Want some?”
-
for Poets and Storytellers United (Writers’ Pantry #63: I Say and You Say…).
I just love this post, Magaly! And not simply because you quote T.S. Eliot twice, LOL! I'm looking forwarding to knowing what the mystery bulb will turn out to be! And OMG, your "racist in denial" story -- sheesh!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am looking forward to the blooming surprise. Right now, she's just looking like a green curl. Double Eliots make everything better, don't they? 😁 And don't get me started about that... person!
DeleteKeep your fingers crossed for tulips!
DeleteNow I want to know the sequels to all these mini-tales! Did the purple pretties fully bloom in time; did the bulb turn out to be a tulip – or what; how did the person you know respond to your poem and suggestion? Not to mention yummy details of all the fun of the sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou shall find out what the bloom is as soon as I do. The purple pretties are blooming slowly--no pollinators yet. And "the person" hasn't replied, I suspect that no response will come my way. I shall let you know (perhaps, even writer about it) if a response comes.
DeleteThe power of dirt under polished nails is nothing to be sniffed at CWS XXX
ReplyDeleteYou tell them, sister! *CWS*
DeleteWhat a joyful post, Magaly! I’m ashamed to say I haven’t done any planting yet and I’m envious of your shoots and young leaves. Bring on the butterflies – I’ve already seen my first (very large) bumble bee and we’ve had ladybirds inside the house! I love that the mystery bulb from sone else’s trash has grown and hope it blooms into something wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoy these bits, Kim, because I so delight in writing them and sharing them. You have plenty of time to grow things. And I bet you will. And I, too, hope the mystery bulb blooms into something magnificent--mayhap, a tulip *cough*!
DeleteClearly you have a lot of fun in your life. Even I in my dotage happily have a balcony with various plants growing season sometimes flowers sometimes vegetable depending what caught my eye in the garden centre I visit. Yes, I talk to plants too so they can bloom with pride or provide me with tomatoes or whatever.
ReplyDeletePlanting and tending and loving a wee garden feeds the wild child within, methinks. And of course you talk to plants, dear Robin. Every brilliant person knows that talking to plants is the closest we'll ever get to sing with Nature!
DeleteHappy Sunday Happy Spring
ReplyDelete(✿◠‿◠)
much love
And to you, Gillena.
DeleteGo on & grow!
ReplyDeleteI think I just heard my garden chorus, "We shall!"
DeleteSometimes truth hides in plain sight, unlike buried bodies!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I call wisdom! 😁
Deletestereotype harms. education is key. strong write, have to get it off the chest, right? lucky you have lovely plants to calm you. wonder what that mystery bulb will grow into.
ReplyDeleteEducation is key, indeed, since the world has enough ignorance to drown us all. And I, too, love that I have my lovely plants for balance. In a world with so much bad, growing a little good is a delight. And about the mystery bulb... 🤞🏽🌷
DeleteYou didn't need to make yourself a garden.
ReplyDeleteMaga, you have always been a garden
Oh, my sweetest Lori, you've always known me well. How I have missed you, my dearest friend. I keep on telling me myself that I must go back to Facebook. Maybe it's time...
DeleteSmiling ... the mystery thing looks likes asparagus!! I purchased five pots of primroses yesterday, the salesperson promised they would survive a 'light freeze' ... fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteHa! Now I'm craving asparagus (I hope I don't start looking at Mystery Bulb with hunger in my eyes, lol). You know, I keep on telling myself that I will get or grow a primrose plant. Let me know how they do with a "light freeze".
Delete28 degrees ~~~ looking perky this morning!!!
DeleteFantastic!
DeleteYou are such a delight, Magaly. The "person" knows not her own ignorance, and her smug superiority is offensive (to say the least). My goodness, I hope Helen is wrong and your mystery bulb isn't asparagus! I do so hope it is a beautiful blooming reward for your rescue!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bev. And I totally agree about the "person", some people are just too full of themselves to leave room for the acknowledgment of their own idiocy.
DeleteAlso, I'm almost certain that Mystery Bulb isn't a asparagus, lol!
I wish I could make a corpse grow, to pull life from the dead. Unfortunately I have a black thumb, if it grows it is without my help. But still, I try. And sometimes things grow that I didn't plant and that is just as wild and amazing to me as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time today that someone says something about growing a corpse--the first time was on Instagram, where a friend said she was growing a zombie ginger. I love it when things grow by themself. They feel like a surprise.
DeleteI hope you find a joyous surprise from your Mystery Bulb. You've been able to get some green for a while now and I think you deserve a fine bright color for rescuing the corpse.
ReplyDeleteSo mote it be!
DeleteI love this post! I can't wait to see what your mystery plant is!
ReplyDelete"Racist in denial"!!!!! OMGGG!!!!
Big Hugs!!!
I'm still waiting for my dear mystery plant. She's taking her time!
Delete