Royalty

They are royalty, the plants of my ruby mine. I water them, weed them, and provide support for their bounty. I forgive all but the most egregious acts of imperialism as they fret at confinement, testing the boundaries of their kingdom. Each July I am bedazzled by their thousands of ruby fruits, brilliant in the sun, luscious on the tongue. An annual coronation, the ceremony and surfeit worthy of the richest kingdom.