To the El Dorado Community Garden Executive Rules Committee
Yes, my sweet peas are too lush,
they gush out like a drunk—
effusive, flailing, reaching
over the borders,
brushing people as they walk by
saying, take me,
and I can see why
this sort of display
disarms the committee –
beauty is dangerous,
chaotic, my sweet peas shameless
in their bawdy rebellion.
I’ve tried tying them
back with twine,
restraining their unruly
leaf body, trying not to crush
their plush velvet petals
as I tug them taut
back from the common
path but their long-
blossomed vines
slip out at night
waving the next day
look at me,
look at me, straining
to dust anyone
who passes
without a glance
imploring everyone
to steal them
to gather them up
into a bouquet to
give them away
to someone
who will say
I love you
you’re gorgeous
as their petals drop
and fade.
KIMBERLY ESSLINGER's poems have appeared in Calyx, Spillway, Chiron Review, and Nerve Cowboy, among others. Read more.