Nurturing My Plants (Poetry)

The few real ones that
sprawl wild among the
plastic and the silk
pretenders slyly
nudge and grab more space

I don’t indulge them
with a lot of care
a splash of water
when I remember
a dash of plant food

Meanwhile they dangle
leaves and stems over
the edge of their pots
inch a slow escape
a cautious ramble

Those times one looks sick
I have talked to it
as if sympathy
somehow does the trick
helps sap rise again

Doubtful therapy
such one-sided chat
that does more for me
to absolve my guilt
for benign neglect