Plants

 

The aloe plant sits quietly in the corner.
It needs sun, and water,
only periodically, the latter.
Sun as much as possible. Sure.
The corner it sits in only gets about half an hour of sunlight each day.
But it survives.
Sometimes without water for a week; even two.
The pot is large enough. Just about.
The soil was changed thrice.
First it was too hard. The roots couldn't even grow and settle in.
Second, too soft; the plant toppled.
Third, done right; gravel below, some sand, and then soil.
The plant lives.
It exists. Not dying.
It's got just enough to survive.
But it looks unhealthy,
like it will not thrive there.
The leaves appear smaller, thinner
not thick and juicy as is ideal for an aloe.
But it doesn't complain.
The roots haven't developed enough to grow and strengthen its base.
But they exist. Short. Functional. Enough.
The aloe stays there,
ready to move
to somewhere it can grow and thrive.
That's the dream, isn't it always?
Plants are like people.
They draw their energy from their surroundings.
The energy of the home affects the plant, too.