'Alchemy'-A Poem for the Garden

About the persistent miracle of mint

Alchemy

Mint survives the frost

underground and flourishes

through ice and snow, a sudden

though stealthy return of greenburst

in the garden's sullen soil. Inklings

of fragrance creep along the

ground, announce sharpsweet

pungency as I crush newgreen

under my soles.

Each season's severity has little

effect on the vines' demise; I sigh

at their explosive, persistent

return and ponder gathering

the bounty of invasive

emeralds come June.

I'll rinse then steep then sip

steaming or iced, but only

after coaxing in the hottest

water. Perfume or palatable

drink, either way's a crucible.

Smashed and broken

or the slow roil, jadegreen

leaves change like straw

spun to gold, a sorcery

of sunshine and seasons.

This poem is from my book, Hearts on Pilgrimage Poems & Prayers, 2021

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Now Available via Bookshop, my newest book, Mining the Bright Birds Poems of Longing for Home and Hearts on Pilgrimage Poems & Prayers. Signed copies are also available for $12.50 via this form.