
Listening
pay close attention
to words and expressions
like falling into poetry
visualise the lemon tree
in the kitchen, the mother
in law's tongue
it reached so high,
she took it outside
she brings splashes of
colour to the conversation
like rain smudging down
the window
catching strange light
she says, my skin
has gotten thinner
now I gotta be careful of bruises
the dehumidifier doesn't
get too hot
the air rises from the bottom
nothing burns
you can make dried peppers
kale chips and crispy onions
but what's the cost
and how much energy
does it take?
the conversation moves on
to succulents and tomatoes