You were supposed to fit in with the others,
the snake plant,
the Zanzibar Gem,
the Chinese evergreen,
the philodendron,
and all the other house plants.
But no, you couldn’t help yourself.
I saw your white flower grow longer,
slowly, finally poking its head
above your neighbours.
I imagine you saying,
Hey, look at me, I’m flowering.
Aren’t I beautiful?
My goodness, you’re smug.
If you’re not careful,
I’ll put you in direct sunlight.
I know how you hate that.
You call yourself a peace lily?
You seem more like a rabble-rouser to me,
instigating dissent among the others.
Okay, sure, yes, you’re beautiful.
I’d kiss you for your beauty
if you weren’t so toxic to my lips.
But do you really need to bring such attention to yourself?
Yes, you’re right, it does look like
you’re encouraging the others to flourish.
They seem healthier since you arrived.
But mind your new friends,
they’re fragile.
You appear to be a natural leader,
so don’t abuse your power.
If you steer them down the wrong path,
I’ll overwater you.
Yes, I admit, you’re cute,
your white petal gleaming in the fading light.
I don’t know.
Sometimes I love you and
sometimes I hate you,
but you can stay where you are with the others,
for now, anyways.
It seems to be working.
What?
A little kiss before sunset?
Oh, okay then, here you go,
you poisonous little conniver.