You all started
as just tiny seeds
In a plain, white packet,
Waiting to live.

I plopped you right into
a little seedling starter.
Once you started growing well
and getting real cozy in there,
I wanted you
to have more room
to get even bigger.

So I moved you
In with all the rest,
into the vegetable garden.

And everyday
I watered you,
hoping you would be good
to me in return.

Each morning,
dew covered my bare feet
as I rushed to see
what you had accomplished
overnight.

It never seemed to be much
of a growth spurt, but
just enough
for vigilant eyes to take notice.

You seemed to like to
make me wait
even after all the time
I spent spoiling you.

Little green monsters you have been,
But finally
After weeks and months
of tedious tending,

After all the other vegetables
have almost gone,
You finally open
your teeny, white flowers
And give me

some ****
jalapeno peppers.