Fences enclose sweaty trees
of palms, apricots and figs,
while dried-up roses suffer
heat, next to stubborn hortensia
striving, to blossom despite
anomalous murderous drought.
An infant baobab travelled
all the way from Dakar to be
planted in a pot in Rome, while
the fragile bonsai changes
place everyday victim,
of my indecision fearing
a premature death.
Parsley, basil, oregano and thyme
On rosemary’s opposite side,
Emanate odours of culinary
Makings, as a lonely herb grows
In a corner, unfolding potential
Of future rewards, paid in smoke.
Aloe and cactuses evergreen
Surrounded, by dead leaves
Stranded, along the hedge covering
Fertile soil suffocating, possibilities
For emerald grass to raise as I mow
The lawn picking them up to set
cadavers free.
[Featured painting: Murnau The Garden II by Wassily Kandinsky, 1910]