Arranged in butcher blocks of potted soil
Leaves like the blades of living green gel knives
Ornamented with teeth studded armor
Edges sharply serrated for sawing
***
Violent succulent it seems at first sight
Eviscerate? Soothingly stimulates
Relieving remedy for painful burns
Appearances can sure be deceiving
Author’s Note: I hinted at writing a poem about Aloe vera in my entry for Hannah’s challenge, so figured I’d follow through! Link to my entry below.
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
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Letter to our Queer & Trans Youth
Hey, you. I thought I’d start this letter by telling you a little about myself, just so you know who you’re dealing with. I’m an emotional dad, father to three amazing kids who we met through the foster care system, and whose presence in our lives has really transformed my sense of responsibility to the communities that surround us. The connections we’ve made with one another, with our extended families, and with the communities where we live and look for belonging have catapulted us into this whirlwind of emotional tumult which, while not easy by any stretch of the measure, has also been remarkably healing. I realize ours is really only a one-sided chosen family, since our kids didn’t get to choose to live here, but I’d like to think that they did choose to let us love them, which allowed them to grow to love us. And I think that’s where I want to go with this letter- to a place where you can find belonging and healing- even if the pathway there may be peppered with some emotional tumult.
By F Cade Swanson4 days ago in Pride
Comments (7)
Aloe vera has soooo many healing properties, both internally and externally. Loved your Acrostic!
Stunning imagery! Loved your use of alliteration throughout as well.
Wow! This is so well done. I love all the alliteration and repetition of consonant sounds, especially: "Leaves like the blades of living green gel knives"
And let that be a lesson to us all! Don't judge plants according to the spikiness of their leaves.
Oh this is great!! Well-crafted poem. I have an aloe plant that has nicked me a few times but it's also helped some sunburn so I guess it evens out!
Oh this is incredibly powerful. I love the comparison to how it looks over its various soothing benefits. We have one in our house. Was gifted to us many years ago...still alive and kicking!
A clever tribute to an extraordinary plant.