Ruta graveolens Rue
	NOTE: Rue can be used to help induce abortions, so I was thinking about things I don’t want, and grief. It turned out to be the perfect plant for the conflicted emotions of a two-bird day. I often catch towhees in my house, and occasionally the misguided mockingbird or bereft hummer. It’s always traumatic trying to corner them in the window and grab them, but to have two birds two feet apart separated by a pane of glass was almost more than I could bear. An evergreen bush with small yellow flowers, rue can induce menstruation and improve eyesight, as well as treat MS and Bell’s palsy. The name comes from the Greek rua meaning to set free.
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I want to cleanse myself of
misconceptions.
Fertile mind,
incubus.

Grief has had its way with me.

I rue the day spent sleeping,
then rue my waking hours.

Yesterday there were sad birds
on both sides of my bedroom window.
One in my hand, one waiting
perched on the evergreen.

I set free
the desire for happiness.

Expectation is the insemination of regret.
I can’t have this.