Pachira aquatica
These days I can live with almost
no light or water
like the Malabar chestnut
I got at Ikea in Philly in 2012,
still here.
So many times I almost let it die, before finding
a yellowed leaf on the floor, how I had to
nearly kill it to remember I was keeping it alive.
A giant jungle tree ends up stunted,
trunk braided, sold for 6.99
I have to live with it—
the way it lives with me—
never knowing
if water’s coming.
My three-year-old and I in quarantine,
only hugging each other. Rain dissolves
the days and when it lets up he says,
come here and look at the sun with me
Julia C. Alter holds an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Read more.