THE CONVERSATION I NEVER HAD WITH A SHRUB ❋ Jessica Schouela

My sinister relation to this shrub
was escalating with each millisecond
because it refused to talk to me
and I needed some kind sign.

I stood there staring at it
putting on my most threatening face
and I was so serious
I felt like cutting it all up

and not decoratively like a bonsai
but just really going at it
and shredding it
like rejected, useless matter.

The dog kept barking at it
and then pausing
and then barking again

so I knew it was talking to him
and had chosen to ignore me
even though I wanted so badly
to connect with nature

and for the leaves and branches
to tell me what to do
and tell me it would all come together in the end

but all I had was the parking lot temple
eight dollars in my purse
a headache
and a dog who knew how to talk to a shrub.