Nurture the Green: by j.c. jackson

Nurture the Green: By J.C. Jackson

For the first time in my life I didn’t cry when a plant died…

When I came back from Dallas and walked into my once luxurious garden and saw that my Amazon Mecca was dried up, I said, “Oh no!”. But on the inside, I pushed out relief. Not all my plants died. However, the main attraction looked like it was on its way to the morgue.

I told my family how the December 23, 2022 Houston Freeze devastated gardeners, and I began to chop off the dead parts. I scrutinized as I cut. Looking for green, but silently soothed over my Banana trees split from life.

Her name was ‘Banana Girl’ and she was sassy and flirty. Her leaves danced at night. Twisting and swirling. Embracing the wind. She moved to the rhythm of Cameroon’s Makossa music. Remembered home every night, and she paid tribute. Banana Girl had many children. She kept them close. Always gave to them. Always covered them. She protected the ones she produced. A good momma.

On a Tuesday I realized Banana Girl was sick. She caught something from some plant. She was, “Shaking that tale” is what the old folks would say. “Now she got something she can't give back!”, wrinkled lips would mutter. I quickly rummaged through my cabinet and found an ‘elixir’ that would fix her right up. I sprayed…waited…cut back…prayed, and sprayed some more. She would seem alright but then her disease would spread more. I knew the source, but I couldn’t reach every spot. Banana Girl was too tall. I didn’t have a ladder to cut back those top places. I  asked for help and no one had the time or desire to help me save her. Then the December 23, 2022 Houston Freeze hit. And Banana Girl was close to death. Afterwards, she was still sick but I could reach the infection now.

I was relieved.

Consoled because I didn't have to find a ladder, or beg for help, or…

All I had to do was cut back the dead, clean up, and nurture the green. 

I decided then, that process right there was how 2023 was going to be for me. 

God already knew he was gonna allow a storm, so why am I trippin?