By Telka Pesklevits, Contributor
I am a stainless-steel nail.
You coiled yourself around me.
Together we made a wire fence
To protect the garden from the outside world.
Apple trees with delicate white flowers,
Groupings of sprouting lemongrass,
Even bushes of yellowed weeds,
All kept safe by us.
The flowers had turned to sweet fruit,
When I realized after looking around
That I was not the only nail
That you were strung to.
It was only then that I could see
We were not protecting the garden.
You and I were holding it captive,
And stopping it from growing free.
Tomorrow’s rain will wash away
The rust stains you left on me.
But no matter what you do,
You’ll always have the kinks
Of all of those other nails
Left in you.
