The Stubborn Fragility Of Orchids Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

We have two orchids which had become very much neglected.
The one, though apparently healthy but barren and austere,
Denied sufficient water and nutrients, overtopped its pot
And struck roots deep into the emptiness below the glass cabinet,
An ugly, straggled tangle, in places scarring the surface of the wood
Desperate for sustenance and an opportunity for life -
The other, in a small pottery box, was beset with a hardy weed
That grew like tousled cress and came to tiny blue flowers
But the container, lacking any kind of drainage,
Ponded what little water had been provided, stunting
The second orchid so that only two shriveled, scarred leaves
Protruded from its alternately saturated and dessicated cup.

After I had visited my sister and seen how her orchids flourished
The reproaches of the Buddha that guarded the glass cabinet
Became too much to bear and I resolved to amend my caring.
I bought two deep identical plastic containers that hold basal water,
And a sufficiency of enriched wood chips appropriate to orchids.
In the first place, I carefully wrapped all the excess roots into the container
And packed the flakes of bark around them leaving the plant standing proud
In the second, I gently nestled the damp and half-decayed roots
Among a cornucopia of woody detritus that simulated a tree bole
And then I reminded myself to water gently, considerately, consistently
My two adopted green orphans, new charges for my daily rounds
In setting things to right and creating space for growth in homely order.

This morning when I learned of the death of an old friend,
Heavy with regret and reminiscence I wrote to his wife:
"Heather, I was so sorry to hear your news - a wonderful man.
Please accept my most sincere condolences and best wishes".
Now I don't think that he would have complained of being neglected
And nor can I claim indifference in the great scheme of things:
We have had good lives, well lived with friends and family,
With consistent caring ultimately making all the difference -
As for the orchids, they are going gang-busters under the new regime
With the larger one parading a bunch of magenta blossoms
And the smaller and most neglected first opening and greening its two leaves
To then disclose the promise of tight overlapping buds at its centre.

No doubt there are lessons to be learned here about men and orchids
About the processes of renewal and transcendence
But considering the mix of nature, nurture and fragile vitality
It is beyond me as to exactly who or what is contained.