Manganese
Janet Kuypers
from the “Periodic Table of Poetry” series (#025, Mn)
(stemming from “Became a Jungle”, written 05/17/10,
with references to “Everything Lives With Her”, written 9/2/06)
3/28/13
I wanted plants around.
She always had plants around,
everything thrived with her.
Ever since she died
my home has become a jungle.
Let me have control over this.
Let me add water nearly daily
to the plant I bought when I visited her,
or to the tree she gave me years ago.
Add plant food to the water.
Because I don’t want anything to die.
Trim the dried leaves,
because they would remind me
that even nature misses her.
Keep plants near windows,
they need their light.
Their Manganese needs it
for their chlorophyll production.
Actually, their Manganese assimilates
the carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
So breathe in our carbon dioxide
and give me more
of my precious oxygen,
so we can realize
how we depend on each other so.
Actually, I should stock up
on Manganese plant supplements.
I’ll make sure you get everything you need.
I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.
