We sowed the seeds and faced them north -
sat on the ground and pushed fresh shoots
down with pokey fingers and old *******,
poured salt on the soil so nothing could grow.

But the summer was hotter than we'd imagined.
The caterpillar we kept caged spawned wings
undetered by our criticism and clenched hands.
We could not stop nature, though we tried.

Awoke to our patch full of fruit and vines
and tried to destroy it with poison and lies.
Watched every tillering flower bloom back twice
as though time were the only cure for loneliness.