Ode to Old Tomatillo

damaged tomatillo
a shell of crumpled population
surrounds it
like a cocoon with no caterpillar
attracts no attention, unlike the other
beautiful plants in the garden
it’s like a green veiny comet
stopped in time
in spring it was bright and youthful
it has seen and known many secrets
shhh

Ciro Podany, age 13
(2002 Finalist)
San Rafael, California
Greenwood School (Mill Valley)
Teacher: Devika Brandt
(2004 Teacher of the Year)