The Clearance Shelf

i pick a few off

the clearance shelf

perennials with

shriveled leaves dry stalks

dusty peaty soil ugly

faux-wood plastic pots

explain in the car ride home

how there's no money

for big box stores

in keeping them alive

when the heat wave

of august arrives

too costly to pay

workers to do what's necessary

for the living to thrive

i mention

this second chance

how i picked

carefully through

what was left

on the discount racks

how they were the best

of the lot at two-thirds off

and when they seem

to stir to inquire

soul to soul in whispers

about the others

i offer comfort

by suggesting how maybe

i'll make another trip

take a second look

check to see

if my garden space

allows me to save

more plants headed for

death in the dumpster

but i know

this late in the season  

i’m not likely

to make it back

and when home

i water

inhale the relief

rising from their roots

set them for a few days

in a safe place

in cool filtered light

before the digging

the planting

the slow recovery

of what remains

and when setting the soil

about each base

i tell them

to go deep

do their best

if they can

to start over

and maybe next year

or the one after that

sprout beautiful flowers