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.


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Forgiveness: The Black Walnut