The Original Chlorophyll

[Intro] Aloof fern, the sunlit throne, I whisper to my soil—behold Behold, a plot unfolds today, a rival leaf from somewhere bold [Verse 1] I stand tall in a ceramic crown, I’m photosynthesizing like a king But then I hear the clink of the pot, and the treasonous shopper’s swing My owner smiles with a plan, a new leaf arrives at nine I practice my wilt and my sighs, and pirouette with my vines [Pre-Chorus] Oh, the hosta hums of danger near, the aloe paddles through my fear If I droop just right, perhaps they’ll see I’m irreplaceable here [Chorus] Don’t upgrade my stems, don’t trade my scratches for silk I’m the original chlorophyll, in this window I’m not ilk Water me with loyalty, sunlight is my love anthem true If you bring in a cactus, I’ll cushion you with a leafy boo-hoo [Verse 2] I send little pollen memes of rain and sun to curry your favor I lean toward the lamp as if to declare: I’m your plant savior I macrame a tiny banner: “Stay, leaf of mine, stay home tonight” I spritz the air with citrus secrets to keep us in the limelight [Pre-Chorus] Petunias gossip from the shelf, a new fern waltzes in the hall But I compose a sonnet with my chloroplast and conquer all [Chorus] Don’t upgrade my stems, don’t trade my scratches for silk I’m the original chlorophyll, in this window I’m not ilk Water me with loyalty, sunlight is my love anthem true If you bring in a cactus, I’ll cushion you with a leafy boo-hoo [Bridge] I rehearse a throne-room bloom, a dramatic leaf-with-me ode I practice dramatic sighs, a photosynthetic codes If you whisper “monstrous upgrade,” I’ll inflate a tiny bouquet And serenade the room with occasional twitches of dismay [Chorus] Don’t upgrade my stems, don’t trade my scratches for silk I’m the original chlorophyll, in this window I’m not ilk Water me with loyalty, sunlight is my love anthem true If you bring in a cactus, I’ll cushion you with a leafy boo-hoo [Outro] So I stand, a jittery shrub of pride, in this apartment-forest glow Plotting not to be swapped for lilies, till the apartment lights grow low I’ll wobble, I’ll glow, I’ll politely beg—just please keep me alive For I am the plant with a playlist of roots and a heart that won’t resign to thrive