WRITE ON
SPEAK OUT
If only...
By
Orla M
AGE
14
I look hopefully at the girl,
rushing over with a spade.
I will my petals to unfurl
but instead, they seem to age.
My roots, they thirst for water,
my roots, they gasp for air.
She runs away to play with toys
while I'm stuck sitting here.
The garden was a-thriving,
tulips and pansies galore.
But sure enough, slowly dying,
this girl thought watering a bore.
The pansies were my sisters,
the roses like my mum.
But they lost their will to live,
leaving all but one.
As I lay down my budded head
and unwillingly embrace the soil,
I secretly wish this child
would have her own inner turmoil.
The grin on her face is vibrant,
as happy as the sun.
She’s unaware what’s happening
while she’s off having fun.
She hears her parents calling,
“Look after your garden please!
Care for it and water it,
You could do it all with ease.”
My wilted leaves are drooping
right in front of her eyes,
but she’s too young yet to understand
and ignores this poor pansy’s cries.
And so I hope she learns,
and that her new garden thrives.
This porch-front could use some colour,
if only I could survive.