Eucalyptus

I park at the curb near her driveway.
A brown anole boasting, getting its reps in on a white bucket.
She's kneeling down,
wood not yet placed across the frames.

A canvas covered with spray paint.

She offers a chair first, and does the same.
The wood holding space between us.
Truths exchanged,
and understood.

The ache in her voice, unmistakable.
A black cat passes,
warm and unbothered.

Plumeria in full bloom. Seeding.
The art expands, as her hands tend to it.
Birds. Peacocks. Rabbits. Basking in greeneries generosity.

The hurricane, indifferent to the eucalyptus.
Now mulched.
The same for its family…
She saves all she can. Carried. Branch by branch. Her effort, unseen by most.
Loss,
alchemized to beauty.

She returns to her eucalyptus that the driveway still gently holds.

I hope she takes credit for what she has earned.

--Drew 🪷