Shovel is shoveling. Birds are chirping. I’m digging.

Pretty things all around. Red roses, red sunset. Gotta get it in the ground. Before the first frost.

Halfway in- not deep enough. I growl, shoving his hand in the dirt.

“Roses are red, Violets are blue. Flowers are dead. And so are you.”

I put the dirt over his face. Kiss him good-bye. Mwah, babe.

Next time- he won’t cross me. Take the straw over. Smooth it out.

Goodbye, my rose.

I am always happiest When there is color or dirt On my hands, Under my nails, Swiped carelessly down my pant leg. The visible remnants Of creating Of beginning

In buzz and bloom Earth in fingers Cold, raw and soft Sprinkling life Flowers awaken And I do to

On that humble plot I make no money But it is so much more real Than anything else I do

Growing leaves Kind to weeds Today a daisy says Hello

My Eden’s clear But alas I’m stuck here
Inhaling the poison I’m paid to grow

In the Spring From the dirt In which you were just thought From the seed you were sown After waiting what seemed an eternity You reared your little green head I smiled You chased the sun But you were not alone All your little friends were near Growing into the light The broadening of your leaves Unique in sight Summer granted maturity And you were the Mom and Pop of the dirt In the Fall you gave your greatest gift Seeds of the fruit Then returned to the dirt The Sun still Shines

Amidst a midsummer paradise Surrounded by flora galore Upon vibrant blossoms I feast my eyes Scents so divine, I toil in the abode I adore.

Inside is sad Outside living Inside is dull And outside green

The plants talking Tell their stories And I hear them Their memories

Plants are simple Not like people Inside is dull I love the bloom

The earth will spin another day Some people will cry While others will pray

The clocks will tick Their gears will click Some people will watch Others call it too quick

Night turns to dawn Some mow their lawn Most of them yawn Others are gone

But, what about the roses?

Posies and lilies hold on to fame Dandelions are known for their flame Most flowers bloom with help from the rain Most flower's beauty, get taken in vein

Afternoon showers, thunder, and storms Make some flowers ruin their form Though it's their colors that people adore What happens when they can't take anymore?

Roses have many petals, it's true Rose's thorns, your skin, will cut through But that is not what I'm asking you.

Roses of yellow, pink white and red You may see laying on a flower bed But while you have those thoughts run around in your head I ask the question that you ignore instead

What about the roses?

You repeat the question in a different way "What, about the roses?" I hear you say

If you want answers Which you know you'll receive Listen attently Before roses leave

Rays of light And roses of white A bumblebee takes flight Such a wonderful sight

The earth cool and wet I bury the seed Waiting a few sunsets On fresh lettuce I will feed

Plummeting droplets Wet the soil and the roots Moisture and sun let My roses rise and roost

Creating life from soil and light Makes for such a humbling sight Harvesting basil and thinking I may Grow parsley next season, peppers or maize

There are bright orange carrots in my garden, won’t you come and see? Their stems and leaves are very green, oh come and walk with me.

I have potatoes in my garden, won’t you come and look? They are brown and somewhat round, Down in their dirt made nook.

Bouquets of broccoli grow in my garden, come and take a glance. Little trees are all I see, They can be delicious when given a chance.

Radishes grow in my garden, come and take a peep. The bunnies think it’s very funny, to eat them while I sleep.

There are great big onions in my garden, would you like to inspect? But if you pry they’ll make you cry, They sometimes have that effect.

There is so much love put in my garden, won’t you take a view? Please feel free to come and see, what I’d like to share with you.

I couldn’t stand it there I had to live more outside Gardening is mine