ENVIRONMENTAL Poetry: TEENAGE LAVENDER, by Melissa Pilakowski

The lavender and I are
having a fight.

Its directions suggest ice cubes.
I comply.

The plant feigns weakness, so I share
more sips of water.

Its stems complain and slump.

I set it in full daylight, like an
invalid. More stems bow their
heads and refuse to stand.

“Fine,” I tell it. “You’re on your own.”
And when I turn my back, it thrives.

So I’ve started to give it ice cubes again.