Weekly Challenge of May 8 - 17: Lavender is Awesome

Lavender is awesome. The pots lined up on the south-facing sill have seen it all: sleep, no sleep, ache, and finally, peace of mind. They have had their fill of winter and crane their necks to the ritual of summer, forgetting it all begins again come October.

Enough of that. Now, siren songs of sparrow and neighbouring dog pique interest anew. There may be gingham skirts, flirty shorts on the gardener next door, who fusses with her husband’s tea. He has a roving eye. They are all alike, she will say when we are alone.

She twines morning glory vines long before the lavender’s return. Easy to wrap them around your finger. Rumour has it she shot a tiger once and preserved its tail in a mason jar. A tough cookie, not averse to surprise. Unflappable. No, she will say.

Your own hands touch greyed and beaten wisps, the ones you left to winter. The dead you will yank. You will spy a breath from a few whose good comes from trauma, who spring defiant after bitter cold. There is strength in adversity, she will say. The lavender has seen it all.