entrusted to me by an old friend

named minty, as absurd as it sounds

occupies my window sill

“i’ll take good care of him,” i promised

an effortless undertaking

just water once a day

make sure the soil is moist

but as i began to be consumed

overwhelmed by my inner turmoil

a manifestation of thoughts akin to darkness

boring into my heart

the life force of minty the mint plant

began to wear away

green turning to brown

feeble posture, fallen leaves

and now, ironically

i see myself, lone and brittle

reflected in that dying thing