The Power of Small Things

A New Poem

Plunk in the middle
of a dark time,
she steps out onto 
her deck and sees
that her plumeria has
borne this summer's 
first blossom.
Years ago, she carried
a four-inch-long cutting 
home from the Big Island 
of Hawaii, planted it 
in a small pot and
waited to see if
it would take.
Well, it rooted and grew, 
and many years later
finally bloomed.
These days, it always gives 
many five-petaled, 
white and yellow 
blossoms. 

After lifting her nose from
an intoxicating sniff, 
she turns and spies 
one more miracle.
A potted gardenia plant,
her fifth attempt after 
four failures, has birthed 
its first pure white 
fresh and fragrant 
flower.

These two tiny bursts 
of beauty and scent 
bring an upwelling joy 
into her dispirited 
and heavy heart.
For a time, she is able
to harbor pleasure 
alongside pain.