Co-Dependence
by Jessica R. Allen
On the side of the road
Between dry earth and stone
They both long to fully bloom
Above her wielding death
With and without him
He remains at her center
She blooms outside of him
He deepens his hold on her heart
Growing roots entangled together
She begins to lose her luster
He grows taller
Arching towards the Sun
She deeper
Sinking her roots into the Mother
Where mysteries give way
Too tightly bound to separate
Too tightly bound to grow
Together suffocating defeat
by Jessica R. Allen
On the side of the road
Between dry earth and stone
They both long to fully bloom
Above her wielding death
With and without him
He remains at her center
She blooms outside of him
He deepens his hold on her heart
Growing roots entangled together
She begins to lose her luster
He grows taller
Arching towards the Sun
She deeper
Sinking her roots into the Mother
Where mysteries give way
Too tightly bound to separate
Too tightly bound to grow
Together suffocating defeat
I wrote this poem during a walk after seeing the two plants (gaillardia and knapweed) pictured; the story between the two forming in my mind the further I walked. I found the knapweed cut upon my return the next day. Not removed - but cut to the level of the gaillardia, as if trimming them to look the same would cure them of their dilemma. Upon further reflection I thought, isn’t that the crux of co-dependence? Neither able to fully bloom while remaining entangled. Neither truly free.
