Why Can’t I
Be as patient as the century plant?
Daily I check it out through my window on the courtyard,
Peer through my phone-camera to examine the blooms,
Try to find a hint of blossoms to come.
But the century plant is on its own timeline and will not rush its blossoms or its death. After all, what else takes a century?
The Hundred-Years-War,
Galileo’s theories.
Vermeer’s paintings.
Bach’s Baroque.
The Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago, 1933,
Weathering the noses on Mount Rushmore.
How the mesas along I-40 will look different.
The flying cars in The Jetsons
Change in the Catholic Church (well perhaps not).
The light in the eyes of the last World War I veteran.
Light from some nearby galaxy.
Nothing in the embrace of a lover.
10 thoughts on "Why Can’t I "
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Impatient yet tender. I love the ending lines.
I find myself looking for your work to get an update on your century plant! I like this — such a sad but true line it ends with.
I’m afraid I might miss the blooms…leaving in a week for a two-week trip…!
I am loving the saga of your century plant, your incredible embrace of world and church history and how you weave yourself so subtly in these images.
Very much enjoyed your poem, and the list of the second stanza. This line made me laugh, though it’s not at all funny–“Change in the Catholic Church (well perhaps not).” I muttered to myself “fat chance.”
Love it! I’m ready for a chapbook inspired by the century plant.
I agree with Bill. Your poems are a century plant newsletter. Also agree about the book of poems. As Tom Petty said, “Waiting is the hardest part.” Nicely done!
I’m a Catholic and, well…you’re not wrong.
Also, I seem to be missing something regarding this century plant. Need to go catch up.
Wonderful poem, though. You took this in a fantastic direction!
Thanks Philip!
In a way the picture of the speaker attending to the plant every day belies the notion he is impatient.