Throw Me Away

The pansies were discarded

Dumped in the common area

Behind the houses

Where the blackberries grow

And the morning glories dance

Twisting from cane to cane

God blesses us and keeps us,

and hereafter will make us new

There the soil is rich,

Full of grass cuttings and bits of bark

Discarded potting soil

Leaf mould and pine needles –

The detritus of years past

God blesses us and keeps us,

and hereafter will make us new

Curls up like slow flame

Through the stems and leaves

Through the curling growing tips

And into the air

God blesses us and keeps us,

and hereafter will make us new

You can smell it, see it

Wafting from the full petals

And shining from the generous faces

Of the pansy blooms that grew there

Burgeoning with beauty and life

God blesses us and keeps us,

and hereafter will make us new

Cast me aside

Into the dung-heap of creation

Let the sun beat down

And the wild rains fall

Let me bloom

God blesses us and keeps us,

and hereafter will make us new