Unearthing, digging, clawing

How good it feels to have my hands in the dirt again

The frosty winter has at long last bowed to the spring

Weeding, watering, fertilizing

Remnants of last year's foliage pepper the grounds

All that was, long gone and now the new awaits it's turn

Planting, patting, waiting

Oh glorious blooms what beauty have you to share?

The sun, warmth, and rain find their seasonal employment once more

As my hands dig in the rich, damp brown soil

I loosen some earth worms and roly-polys

Who seem surprised to have such a wake-up call

My mind yields to memories of my youth

Days gone by of gardening flowers and vegetables

Waiting, watching, expectant

The great pregnant pause that is growing season

The embryonic seedlings that grew taller than I was

The sweet smells of flowers I knew by design and color, not name

The innocent delight of plucking a ripened tomato from the vine

Bunnies stealing their store and dining at garden's edge,

Whilst I ate strawberries until my mouth and hands were tinged red

Plenty to share, and the scarecrow never ate a thing

Grandma making her blueberry pancakes from berries picked in old Clorox bottles

The awe of watching the fatted green corn stalks sway in a summer storm

The smell of roses and lilies still alive in my ole factory senses, intoxicating even now

My hands so small then, now work next to my son's big hands

Planting the sunflower seeds and the miniature roses - this year's project

The ceremonial sharing of secrets learned for garnering the best

Each year something new, something unique

The smells and colors never precisely the same

Yet the anticipation soars to new heights of excitement

Gardening the memories of my childhood

Cultivating them with my son

Planting the seeds of tomorrow's memories

Waiting, watching, expectant.

copyright 2004 Rose Limongi