Vulnerable Love

For some
the garden is of carnivorous plants
saccharine seedlets once resting
becoming petaline flirtation
artificial sweetness destined to betray

For others
even among the navigation of thorny defenses
the garden is of edible joy
the discovery of that which nurtures love's growth
the harvesting of passion's nourishment
the tranquil celebration of Emotion's singularity

How innocent we hoe the rows
cultivating anticipation
while the pistil's epicurean appetite
patiently welcomes nightfall
and the restful closing of its portals

And yes
the garden knows of dust storms
rendering flat once vigorous adventure
the thirst of parched hearts
the quench of a single teardrop of joy

But still
the enigma can offer little resistance to voracious winds
determined to reveal chameleon-like weeds
sprouting from cauldron-rich soils
invading Passion's tenuous resistance
seducing the trusting gardener in us all

At least once

Love's penury will succumb
reducing blooms of flowered seduction
to Experience's gathering mulch
needing to know the why of drought
the how of magic

Vulnerable love knows