“ The Ripening “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

“ The Ripening “

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

The ripening
stout stemmed
sharp shinned
smooth skinned
bearing lemons and limes
oranges ‘n’ tangerines
lustrous dark green oval leaves
flowering seasons late spring
may flower continuously
according to species
stems looking silvery ...

“ Which Are Alike? “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

“ Which Are Alike? “

by Suzán Jiván Mom
& Mom-Mom Suzán

Which Are alike?
as individual species
during rainy periods
versus drought
natives of arid grasslands
columnar spine-covered
specialized light streaming
during the brightest of seasons
sprouting small delicate leaves
imprecise waterings
active growth periods
branching broadly
from the base
undertaking
propagation
becoming
carefully
labeled
while growing
at odd angles
in inch-deep layers
pink and fragrant
having grown
in the shade
during daylight
savings ...

“Clay-Pot Fragments In the Bottom” by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

“ Clay-Pot Fragments In the Bottom “

by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

Clay-pot fragments in the bottom for drainage
large flat spathes with popular names
“Flamingo Flower”  Oilcloth Flower”
knicknamed “pigtail” and “tailflower”
puckered pink and salmon shiny as if lacquered
strapflowers standing in trays of wet pebbles
daily fine-mist sprays stalks attached to thin canes
flower-layered cone shapes watching out for aphids
areoles closely spaced free-standing lengthening
slightly raised clustered fanshapes undulating
air layered easily propagated fragrant
star shapes sword shapes gracing seed trays ...

“ Maximum Sizing “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

“ Maximum Sizing “

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

Maximum
sizing
being supported by
soft twine
and plastic-covered wire
across thin stakes
for offcentered spadixes
as heart-shaped
strap flowers of metallic
purple aging
into emerald green
veins etched
with delicate silver
while living
in potting mixtures
equal parts
coarse peat moss
soil and sand
fleshy roots leathery leaves
ultimately
growing epiphytically in trees ...

“ Can Be Freed “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

“ Can Be Freed “

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

Can be freed
of dust by sponging
the leathery leaves
plus misting daily
needing extremely
high humidity
dividing clumps
in the early spring
being separated carefully
as superseded flamingo lilies
shading into cream
mixed in with moist peat
crowning tooth-edged leaves
large genuses seen
bursting at the seams ...

“ See Back “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

“ See Back “

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

See back for details
premier plants
as anything but ordinary
moisture-ladened landscapes
rosy and fragrant
attracting pollinators
compact ornamental grasses
butterfly magnets
large flowering dazzling
aromatic nooks and crannies
with bi-color accents
long lasting
resembling cotton candy
becoming citrus splashed
like energized grafts
that morph
into dancing marionettes ...

“ It Begins “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

“ It Begins “

by
Suzán
Jiván
Mom
&
Mom-
Mom
Suzán

It begins
as a half measure
with deep interest
in rich nectars
self-surrendering
to introspections
realized
like nasalized echoes
leading
to transcendental adeptness
radiant beyond measure
graduating to secret centers
from the chest up to the head
prolonged breathes
hidden potentials
blossoming perennials
lime and magenta
crimson stems
chartreuse petals
delicate flower heads
fairy-tale blends
pastel perfection
bi-color accents ...