Hosta
wins in the end.
It’s not tenacity,
not only.
A weed’s tenacious.
It’s the refusal to take
no
for an answer.
Would you like
to go out with me?
No.
Great! I’ll pick you up at seven.
(Three nights in a row.)
Why did you marry him?
He wanted it so much.
Hatchet hosta, douse roots
in boiling water laced with lye.
Hosta will feign defeat, then little
soldiers sprout in six days’ time.
Sprinkle paving stones atop.
The plant will circumvent,
bloom hardier, and lush.
It covers so much ground.
Transplant it, roughly,
to the dusty verge,
steep banked and dry.
Perfume with fumes,
Neglect all summer.
Next Spring, take compliments
on its behalf, behave as though
its spread were long intended.
Give it welcome. Sips of water.
Treat the strong as tender
as the weak.
Linda McCullough Moore is the author of two story collections, a novel, an essay collection and more than 350 shorter published works. She is the winner of the Pushcart Prize, as well as winner and finalist for numerous national awards. Her first story collection was endorsed by Alice Munro, and equally as joyous, she frequently hears from readers who write to say her work makes a difference in their lives. For many years she has mentored award-winning writers of fiction, poetry, and memoir. She is currently completing a novel, Time Out of Mind, and a collection of her poetry. www.lindamcculloughmoore.com