The Garden Papa Built

 

From scratch he built a garden to behold

He tilled the soil at the back of the house

Added manure to it and readied it for much –

green vegetables, peppers, corn and more

All this time, I did not know that soil was a wealthy one

 

Papa came on a visit, and he changed the landscape

As he tilled, Mama watered, and stories they told and laughed along

I sat proximally, as close as that can be, and listened to tales and songs

And watched the skillful hands that turned a grass-filled backyard

Into a store-house supply coming shortly at harvest

 

The corn was sweet, the vegetables massive and fresh

The peppers, O talk about fresh delight!

Papa had come to make the house a country sweet

So, the following plant season, I got up and did as Papa had

I tried a lot but, I think, he had a green thumb

Mama was proud of me, she said,

“Your father has given you a challenge you cannot resist”

 

I said, “Look, nothing like Papa’s great harvest”

Mama said, “You’ve started, and that matters the most

You’ll get there for we’ve prayed that you all be better than we are”