BACK HALL

On the ledge

outside the upstairs door into the kitchen

reposes, in rest and salvation

for a while,

the hanging basket of petunias.

It hung from the yard light all summer

and it was glorious. Now

with the temperatures imminently dropping

to freezing and below, (tonight?)

it didn't seem the kind thing to do

to make this brave plant crunch and shiver through

the coming killing frost at it's assigned post,

dangling outside, exposed

and dying as all things must,

especially all perennials,

when we could find an inside place

with some warmth

for it to die in.

So it is hooked over the back hall

chandelier,

and that's seems like an honorable place

and a fair place for it to decently prolong

it's expiration, and give

its last blush of bloom.

[So what if we have to duck for a while

going down the stairs to the basement?]