Purple Hibiscus

Bemused botanist,

Creaking gate,

Abused optimist,

Reeks of hate.

In hope to start a spark,

He steps subtly along the sandy path,

As his eyes dart through the dark,

Searching for something to illuminate this garden.

Precarious pupils blinded by the bereft of light,

His body begins to oscillate,

He cannot bare another fight.

Overpowering odours imbue the air,

The boy can’t breathe,

Not for the lack of trying,

While rolling up his sleeve,

He ceases his crying,

As he knows his tears will only feed the poisonous vegetation there.

Soil buried betwixt finger and nail,

Skin cracks like withered shale,

His eyes dart through the dark,

Praying for that simple spark,

A gleeful glimmer grabs hold of his consciousness,

Behold! A beautiful flower to free a youthful coward,

Suddenly the Nigerian sun soaks his surroundings,

This fantastical flower set’s free what did ground him.

“All mighty Jehovah,

Loosen these shackles that you may think fit us,

For I have picked that which banishes Beelzebub;

Purple Hibiscus”.