The sun sits squarely in the south

shining on the lanky stems

of geranium on the bathroom windowsill.

The round scalloped leaves

stretch toward the warm glass

keeping their backsides to me.

I tell myself I turn the plants around

in the service of beauty

and so they don’t lean too far to one side.

What I really wish for

is how they flower even when neglected

and how, in dim light,

their cardinal complexion doesn’t fade.

Susan Morales

1/3/09

- as seen in Bridges