WELLS AND WELLNESS

 

HAPPY PLANTS HAPPY SELVES

there were two wells

in the fruit

 and cut flower

and vegetable garden

one was old

disregarded

feared

operated by a phantom horse

tethered to a rusty

ancient

iron wheel operated pump

which was connected

to two watering holes

and a moat 

around an island of taste 

meditation

and poetry

no gossip

but tea or coffee

viewing the sea

through leaves 

of the ball tree

a measure of being grown up

was the ability to jump acrossr the moat

disdaining 

either of two iron bridges

daring the multitude

of scorpions and spiders

at the waterless bottom

no more happy plants

but happy kids

and insects

and a sole poet

well forgotten

wellness

a hankering

a decrepit life

cut short

a bridge 

between two continents

imagined

and preserved

with ink and paper

and 

finally 

for us 

in print

and

vanishing memories

of giants

and genies

wolves and bulls

the second well

had a switch

stead of a horse.

fed vegetables

for wellness

and flowers

for beauty

for hobby and sale

poet's brother

a dervish

caring for larger family

austere

no laughter

yet

approving smile

sweet

as the candy

in cloak pockets

held ready

for the grandchildren

and

for my readers thoughts

ahmet cafer celebiler

February 12, 2025