"The Rubber Plant"
In the dim of an early hallway
a rubber plant keeps its steady shape.
No incense, no vaulted stone —
only the faint drift of last night’s air
and the cupboard settling once.
Its leaves hold a muted sheen,
not bright, not reaching,
simply keeping their place
as if the room leans on that steadiness.
I’ve seen other plants in better light —
the ones set near wide windows,
the ones trimmed for company,
the ones that catch the full run
of a warm afternoon.
But none of them hold the same
quiet, durable measure
this one keeps without asking,
rooted in its corner.
Not the pothos that climbs
whatever it’s given,
not the fern that needs
its careful portion of moisture,
not the aloe that waits
for a hand to remember it —
none of them carry
this plain, unforced bearing
that stays even when the day shifts.
There is something in the way
its weight settles into the pot,
how each leaf keeps its line,
how nothing about it calls for praise.
A kind of grounded clarity,
a way of being that doesn’t falter
when the room grows still
or the light goes thin.
And so I notice it most
in the quiet parts of the house —
when the kettle cools,
when the hallway holds its shape,
when the cupboard gives that small click.
There, the plant stands as it always has,
steady in its corner,
keeping the room from drifting.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: January 31st, 2026 05:17
- Comment from author about the poem: Apologies for the inconsistencies of engagement- it’s been horrible the past several weeks and there are no signs of letting up. Been so fatigued in mind and body I’ve only had a smidge to keep posting at the regular time, yesterday I even missed it by several hours (3,or 4) not sure. But I have belatedly been attempting to catch up. Hope the likes and faves are a sign of that. But I am hoping to get properly back on the horse 🐎🕊️🙏🏻
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 10
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments6
And so with people to in this varied world there are those that hold their form quiet and steadfast. I see eyes on this plant watching. A most lovely metaphor my friend. a fave
Good write A. I've dried up again on poems myself. Erm, you getting back on a rocking horse? a hobby horse? or what? lol.
Arqios, this poem feels like a quiet companion. Its strength is in not demanding attention, just being there…much like showing up when you can. And truly, no apology needed. Keeping pace is hard, and we’re all doing what we can. Grateful for this piece and for you, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Lovely!!
I possibly live in much the same environment and feel I know that rubber plant in pot well. I will have to stay with yours for the moment, but hope to find space for another one day.
Apologies for the plainness and practicality of this response, but you did catch a previous rubber plant of mine perfectly.
So true with rubber plants Rik, they are always consistent in their world.
Andy
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