African Poinsettia

The poinsettia is a rare plant, indeed, Its vivid red leaves outperform its tiny flower, In Africa, it achieves the height of an oak tree Exploding in vivid red like a bedecked tower Decorated for a special holiday occasion. Our guide was astounded we paid for a frond While here bouquets are had for the picking, Making me feel like, back home, we are conned. They grow, he said, from a stick in the ground I never can keep one alive for more than a week Then, I looked at him and noticeably frowned. Six dollars I pay for a stem with two blossoms, Suspecting they’re a cutting that will not thrive. As I stared at the magnificent poinsettia tree Clement blithely said, “Well, here they’re free!” Written December 3, 2022