By jwb71913
Date: 2003 Mar 08
Comment on this Work
[[2003.03.08.06.32.30942]]

Infertile soil

I was told that the fescue would grow in the shade
and that zoysia would grow in the sun
the ground is hard and rocky, infertile
sour from the pines and years of neglect.

I hear the sound of birds singing, the song
will change as the season approaches
The song I hear today will not be heard here
soon, the early birds follow the drinkin' gourd

With each new song, my heart grows stronger, my
pain fades, for the resurrection of spring
tugs and pulls, unrelenting, demanding new growth
with the warming of the sun.

So I trudge out, in faded jeans
to begin the task of preparing the ground
first the weeds pulled, the soil turned
the clay broken and mixed with peat.

What am I preparing this bed for, will there
be colorful nosegays, fragrant jasmine
yellow mums for bright curb appeal, sticky
roses to remind me of the peril of love?

It is too soon to decide, of course
it is not time to plant, it is time
to prepare the foundation for a garden of love
to sweeten soil and smash hard spots, and smooth

And of course the question remains
will the bed be fertile enough to let life take hold
will it be tended well enough for growth
will I ever know?

Let the sun shine, let the rain fall, let life continue