Ground is black and fertile
Grows roses and succulents
Alike
Both will hurt you
With
Poking thorns and needles
Carefully
You must care for them
While protecting
Yourself
From bleeding punctures
Scratches down arms
Up legs
Earth and water leave the mess
On stairs
Over the house-walk
Towels and rugs
On the porch
Suffer too
With the soil soiling
The very heart
Of their fabric
At the Winter of time
I forgive you
O muddy one
To look for cleaner days
Ahead
When you will appease me
With flowers
Grass.
