Give and Take

Oh, No
cried the Poet.
They left knives
as a gift,
a contribution
to the household.
How could I offer the penny
as the symbolic payment
to avert the sharp blades
cutting the bonds of friendship
if I did not know?
Is that why everything
has changed
since they left my house?

I delight you
and the bees
with my luscious yellow blossoms,
said the Oxalis.
You can rip me out of the ground
when I am done blooming,
but I will return every year anew.

I love
jumping and catching,
said the White Cat.
Look,
I brought you my favorite toy,
the red piper cleaner on a string.
So, let’s play,
otherwise, I might be tempted
to slash the sofa
‘cause I am bored.