HI BIS! CUS ~ IT'S SPRING

Since my previous writing of “Hibiscus Saga” 5 months ago

I now pay tribute to the Hibiscus Bush

that has immensely pleasured me.

“I know you have a strong, emotional longing and desire
to be transferred to the balcony where the breezes blow.

No more snow! No more shivery, freezing rain!

I perceive that you miss the 'Mother of Nature' ~

her daily golden sun... blue skies... and floating, billowy clouds.

“Yes! We moved you inside, end of November

when the 'temps' were about the same

so you could favourably adjust.

(like a child at the beauty salon having her long hair trimmed).

We had to obtain a little saw ~ your sturdy limbs to clip.

“Producing over 100 blooms of rich coral,

you needed rest ~ your strength to renew for next season.

“You had the best of attention and care

parked between windows of balcony door and living room.

Every 3 or 4 days, I watered you ~ giving your pot a half-turn.

Daily, I spoke to you while you silently succumbed to your winter home.

You've been a delight to have indoors

where sunny rays from mid-afternoon to setting sun

lushed your body for a few hours.

By late December, tiny wee leaves began to sprout

on your severed limbs;

and week by week, they were nature-green

in preparation for your outdoor life.

“Last summer, neither Blackie or Grey ~ arrived for visits

(squirrels ~ our nemesis)

who had eaten and destroyed my balcony flowers ~

although one built a nest in a hanging basket of fleurs

and there, tried to feed and raise her babe.

(But that's another story to relate!)

Dear Bis: You have beautifully grown with lushy green leaves

and your strong limbs can barely be seen

through the thickness of your leafy green gown.

And when, at April's end...or early May

when the 'temps' are ideal ~

we'll move you to your Balcony Home.

When summer arrives, together we'll spend much time.

With coffee or tea ~ lemonade or a glass of vino

or entertaining a friend with lunch,

we'll hear the tweet of birdies or seeing them soaring the sky

or study a busy spider, spinning his delicate web.

Together, Dear Bis

we'll view the sunsets. orangy-red

and on a clear night ~ with the rising moon,

Vega,we'll see and 'sparkling stars' within her constellation

located many, many miles away in the north-western sky.

I Laud you ~ my favourite flowering beauty

for your love and gorgeous, massive coral blooms

that you bestow upon me.

Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...April 17, 2019

To respond: mbairdkerr@bell.net