Ode to Sharik

Sharik, underneath

you’re the warmth,

of the sunlight on concrete

You’re the succulent blooming from the cracks

Exposing their weakness

laying

deeply-rooted in themselves

truest love

does not break your back:

No more,

graveling

No more,

groveling

More of,

growing back

as unruly as Himalayan lilac

Sharik, underneath

you’re solid

keep tiling!

Resilience is stamped

on

your flower-child core-

Seedling,

make out foes;

ASSES who

morass, ambush

with foliage like camouflage—

Weed them out

Grow anyhow

Be like moss in gas tank-

Sharp as mettle

stinging like nettle

gentle, rebel, vessel

so will be, I

Sow seeds will, I

So will, I

and so will, you!