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”
