where dandelions grow

_{Photo by Lianelys Cabrera}

By Angie Shenouda

i roll out of bed before 1pm 

and water my plants for the first time in months i throw away a dozen empty water bottles and free the floor of dirty laundry 

i roll open the bathroom drawer and throw away six flattened crest tubes i told myself i’d need one day once the brand new tube runs out 

i discover the mildew growing 

underneath hollow bottles of conditioner in the shower i recycle the plastic 

but don’t scrub the stains just yet 

i pull a dozen weeds from the front lawn 

exhaling on tufts of soft white 

eyes shut tight and fingers clenched along the stem and for the first time in months 

i make a dozen wishes again