We dropped them in an old bourbon
glass, the three extra rosemary sprigs
from November’s turkey dinner.
The glass is a Kentucky Derby souvenir
so we filled them up with water
just enough 
to cover the word MINT. 
 
Then we added a drop of Braggs apple 
cider vinegar ( I am convinced it will cure
anything but death, maybe.) & forgot them 
in the kitchen window.
 
 Sometime in January I realized that 
they had all sprouted a forest 
of algae covered roots
that looked like a calculus worksheet
that had been used for three months worth of
homework. I gently –maybe not gently– untangled
the roots & placed each into its own new 
clear glass home.
It was not a very surgical procedure 
as each was attempting to leave trailing tendrils.
 
All three resembled octopi attempting to escape 
from an aquarium –onto our kitchen counter.–
 
Eventually (even as we have surrendered
to this cape cod home, so new to us) they 
settled & grew and rooted around in the 
sunlight through the end of winter.
In May I put them in old faded Folgers dark 
roast plastic tubs half filled with red lava rocks
and dirt. Today,
 
today we had an appointment to see the doctor.
Today we had lunch near the hospital with a friend.
Today, pale violet, one of the rosemary bushlings bloomed.
Today The doctor told us we are one hundred percent cancer free.