TomatODE To My Person

I am a tomato plant.

I need nourishment to survive

but I have not been properly looked after.

My previous gardeners have left me to shrivel and die.

I am a tomato plant.

I could not bear fruit

I could not even produce leaves.

I was dying but I didn't realize it.

I needed to be saved

and I was.

When I least expected a good thing to come,

when I underestimated her gentle touch, she saved me.

I am a tomato plant.

While you might be thinking my savior was physical

you'd be wrong to assume such a thing,

my resurrection was more deeply rooted

into the soil of my home.

I am a tomato plant.

My new caretaker is a wise,

kind,

giving,

loving,

an exceptional human;

she gives and expects nothing.

I am a tomato plant.

My roots run deeply, but not firmly

my root system is composed of my past;

body image issues,

white lies,

and drama.

I am a tomato plant.

These roots

come from my seed.

It was planted by the human

that didn't care about me as much as she.

These roots

are not firm.

I am a tomato plant.

Since she has come

my leaves return to green.

She knows my roots are not strong

but she also believes that I am more than just my roots;

I am more than my past.

Now I bear fruits,

big ripe tomatoes,

my gift to her.

This is a metaphor you see;

I am a tomato plant

and she is you.

You have shown me what it means to love yourself first

and because of this

I can now love others.

You have taught me happiness

is self conjured.

To draw happiness from others is to depend too greatly.

You have shown me what it means to be honest,

something I thought I knew,

turns out that was a lie too.

You have made me a better person just by being yourself.

That is a unique characteristic;

To be able to influence others lives simply by being present

is a trait I only dream of having.

I was lost,

I didn't know I needed to be found

until I was.

You see,

I am a tomato plant.

I'm dependent on others for survival

like all tomato plants are;

you are the gardener, you provide me with supplies for a healthy life.

In return I strive.

You are the reason I am no longer shriveled.

You are a tomato plant.

You need nourishment to survive,

and I vow

as long as I have the means to do so,

and even if I don't,

I will provide you with the tools you need to flourish

because in the end

us tomato plants have to stick together.