I am a hibiscus plant ,
My flowers used to be a double shade of pink and red.
while I was blooming daily I was the pride of home,
Then one day, sorrow struck
I was eaten by mealy bugs
They became fatter and stronger while I became thinner,
my leaves fell out …
My body became rough and patchy ,
I nearly died …..
Then came along a caretaker ,
She poured neem oil in a sprayer ,
And sprayed me over ,
Put me out in sunshine
Spoke to me daily
Changed the soil too.
I sat with hope and looked at what is happening within me
Little by little
Day by day ,
The fat mealy bugs went away and
My skin started to normalise
As of today I am still struggling
Waiting for my leaves to grow back to their original size
And today , I put out a small pink bloom
After ages ..:
I will be fully grown again ,
My patchy skin will get better,
I will thrive, I am life …
(Looking at the hibiscus plant in my balcony made me realise as therapists this is what we do …
Nourish the existing positive life in our clients, through tender care ..
The feelings they experience maybe the skin disease
The mealy bugs maybe the memories which clients struggle with.
The lack of adequate light maybe their own thoughts,
And they grow again, their strong life force within,
Helps them survive and blossom.
Grateful to all the people I come across for the learning that I continue to experience.)
Mathangi Ramprasad
August 2022
