the potted plant

i wilt,

i bend, i cringe,

when the sun

slips

under.

i thirst for water.

i am a potted plant

on the sill

store bought,

unloved

and forgotten

for days at a time.

i was picked from a stand

of others,

carried in with

open arms.

turned

this way and that. 

sweet talked

and sprayed.

set kindly

in the sun or shade.

tucked in a pretty home,

in a fancy vase

and now.

a cigarette butt

resides beside me.

a beer tab.

a wad of gum.

an insect

nibbles at my arms.

it's sad to be in this

shape,

forgotten and alone.