One of Those Backyard Things

I was taught to sit on my hands.
Stop the popping of my bottle rocket limbs.
And as for the bonfire cracking through my lips?
Swallow it whole right now!

But I am the bamboo shoots bursting through ice into spring,
the zing from the chimes after a strong breeze,
and the sun that boils the metal chairs on the patio.

I was told to smooth my hair and pretend I’m fine,
but I am the jasmine ever eyeing the fence,
and try as I might, I can’t quit climbing.

I was showered daily in weed spray
with my face scrunched and arms flailing,
but I am dandelion and crab grass and plantain,
and I will keep on growing through concrete.

I wondered, should I surrender to a life as sheet metal?
Quickly manufactured, easy to shine.
But, oh, how I love that I am already blankets of moss,
housing fairytales and dewdrop dreams.

I don’t need to be good for anything.

I am the untrimmed bushes and wild grasses that grow
too tall so the neighbors can’t oversee.

I leave myself as dirt spilled across the deck
just to piss off whoever needs me to be crisp and clean.

I am paintbrush crust and sandpaper scraps,
the stink of the mower after a big snack,
and the cobwebs in the corner, gathering just out of reach.

I am broken plates and pots made into mosaic steps
And green glass jars strung as lanterns in trees.

And by the way, maybe I’ll snarl at passersby
even if they come with soft voices and bare feet.

And tomorrow? Who knows!
Maybe I’ll curl into baby’s breath,
throw myself in a rhinestoned vase,
and cuddle up to the daisies and peonies.

Artist’s statement

I’m so grateful to the community at Writers.com for the collective energy and shared process in this project – so much is possible when we do it together! It was a real treat to co-create with everyone. I wrote “One of Those Backyard Things” inspired by a photo of Laura’s backyard and her description: “It’s green and wild and at times overgrown and holds memories and moments of raising a family of humans and animals, an ever-changing experiment of life.” This piece is for the wild and unruly in all of us.