My newest jade plant has taken a beating over its several years of life.
Once, a squirrel came in through a hole in the screen
and ate pieces out of its leaves.
That was two years ago, or three.
Just in the past few weeks I’ve noticed
in a scar on one of them
a bit out out from where it meets the stem,
four tiny new leaves have appeared.
Dusky red beneath and deep green on top,
they look like tiny agates.
I know this is how jades rebuild themselves
but sprouting from a leaf that’s still growing
they feel surprising and new.
I look at them a lot.