We walked into the greenhouse on a cold December day

Inside it was warm and humid  

That was okay

The verdant leaves and bright flowers were a nice contrast to the outdoors’ gray

On this particular Sunday morning though, I felt a bit deluded

I had entered to see

I walked up to the plant with my eyes on its label staring back at me

In white letters it read CORPSE PLANT

I looked down and there was nothing in the pot

The air grew damp

Ironically surrounded by bright foliage and the glow of holiday lights

There was nothing where I expected something

What a strange sight

Death in the greenhouse

A contradiction

Maybe it’s waiting for spring

What killed it?

Will it come back?

Oh, my suspicion