Ode To A Geranium Poem by Lois Read

I am red, surrounded by purple
color my life, the scent of my breath
I eat it, drink it bathe in it daily

I will return one day
as geranium
survivor of a flower
maintenance-free
bravely blooming on and on.
Lavender soldiers
will surround me, protect me
wrap me
in a blanket of sweet scent.

I will bloom
in the humblest of grardens
planted in tin cans
hung on the walls
as well as in
hand-painted talevera
holding my own
with exotic blooms

I will happen also in white
and apricot, and stripes.
But my real self, my true self
will be red.
Glorious, glorious red.