caKe

I have the dead cactus.
    
       the spindly one 
that no one knew was really a cactus.
They were right, though, it wasn t a cactus at all.


I have the dead cactus in
the pot
on the small side table.


When it died I thought
               
                "good Riddance"


and threw it out, pot and all, into the yard. 
There remained a sprig or two alive.


I thought it may be right to re-pot
those live branches, and I did.
Then I let them die.


I have the dead cactus.


       the spindly one
that no one knew was really a cactus.
They were right, though, it wasn t a cactus at all.


I have the dead cactus, in
the pot,
on the small side table.
In the living room, 
next to the stove,
as if in remembrance of
whatever the fuck
that was