A Walk Through a Greenhouse

The first step in, and you're already hit with it,

the humidity and deep, earthy smell of mulch.

The soil hopper sits to your right, slowly churning

compost and topsoil to help baby perennials grow.

As your nose adjusts, you peer down the aisles,

row after row of colorful, vibrant annuals awaiting your gaze.

The plants look happy, healthy,

they brighten up the greenhouse with their enthusiastic progress.

It's been weeks, mere weeks, and already they have

nearly outgrown their pots.

Their leaves stretch towards every available source of sunlight,

and their petals smile up at onlookers, excited to be taken home.

You approach the nearest bunch, a proud display of lantana

perched comfortably at the front.

Yellows and pinks, reds and oranges,

you could pair them with many a basket with little trouble.

After that is salvia, tall and inviting,

hummingbirds and butterflies flit between flowers.

Beside them is alyssum, beside alyssum is lobelia,

both quite delicate, humble in their appeal.

In choosing your flowers, there is no rush,

the young plants have growing up to do, they do not fuss.

It is spring, and these youngsters will bloom all summer long,

until fall when the frost makes their growth stop cold.

But until fall, they will grow, they will bloom and bloom again,

so everyone can get a taste of their splendor before it's gone.