Winter Reds

The sun sits squarely in the southshining on the lanky stemsof geranium on the bathroom windowsill.

The round scalloped leavesstretch toward the warm glasskeeping their backsides to me.

I tell myself I turn the plants aroundin the service of beautyand so they don't lean too far to one side.

What I really wish foris how they flower even when neglectedand how, in dim light,their cardinal complexion doesn't fade.