Hibiscus, you bloom;

one small orange flower, inviting me to examine more closely for buds.

Sure enough, there they are.

Tiny. Hopeful. Growing.

Your leaves aren’t pretty.

They aren’t lush and full.

I’ve seen you look better.

I’ve seen you look worse.

You’ve weathered a lot.

Winter was hard.

But you escaped brush pile and were given a new home.

Returning to life, I find you now growing, and in your growth you invite me to hope.