The Cranesbill Sighted Everywhere

When fall comes to the garden,
the familiar cranesbill, its gaudy gore,

is the flower lasts longest of all:
yes geranium, upright or trailing—

anyone can own it.
In ordinary dirt of ground or pot

it thrives on the common touch,
and garners love by loving neglect.

To cultivate it is to just let be.
It makes no pretense to glory,

only by persistence in living makes glory.
And it's red: cranesbill can beckon you home.

Copyright © 2004 John Isles All rights reserved
from Lick of Sense
Helicon Nine Editions
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission