Clematis, stubborn teacher
her tendril anchors, twiggy
& parched, bare, seem dead

but her leaves clamor above
like green flames of hope

I lift her tiny purple smiles
to the garden arch’s next level
imagine her earthy sigh

Ahhhhh

I long to pull her
viney bones
to coil up the trellis
save her, but, No!

She whimpers
for release
as each spring bundling
strains toward the top–
her domed, beloved sky
and sun
calling, calling

Patience she whispers–
leave well enough
alone