Of Flower

Of Flower

Unpublished work (c) 1991, Lisa Page Weil
All rights reserved.


I planted sometimes;
Mostly tended the store,
Carried and loaded flats of flowers into the delivery truck,
Or a station wagon.
Watered and planted.
Got to ride in the red delivery truck to the other stores that sold flowers.
On weekends
Especially on holidays.

How to plant seeds,
Long wooden dirt flats with seeds sprinkled throughout;
And transplant the seedlings into crocks,
Than the crocks into larger ones.
Then to pack the flowers into flats
And carry them up to the store,
Or out to the car.
How to work the cash register,
And how to wrap bought flowers in newspapers and
Decorative paper.
When to water.

I swept the store and
Watered the dust down on the sidewalk.
Cars passing used to kick up dust on the sidewalk.
How to mix dirt,
With or without peat,
And how many cupfuls of white beads to add.
How to fertilize.

Greenhouses
Grew many varieties of flower;
Depended on the seasons,
And on what customers would buy;
Geraniums,
Azaleas,
Chrysanthemums;
Taught to identify all of the varieties and
Memorize the prices when I worked.