Peace in the Community Garden

The garden is my sanctuary;

Delicate interplay of plants, both colorful and lovely;

Summer heat brings succulent squash,

My strength is restored to face a world of uncertainty.

As water bearer I feel nurtured with kindness,

Lavished with beauty, I see-

Evolving forms of form, color, texture, and taste-

Vegetables of various genus, offering food and seed.

The green unfurling leaves of tomato plants,

Hanging red pendants, ripe and overflowing;

Sentinel yellow Sunflowers watching over-

Tender purple kale, rainbow chard ever-growing.

Companion plants of basil and cucumbers,

Deep red beets harmonizing w/kale ;

Aroma of savory sage fills my breath,

Harlequin beetles dance, calendula regails.

Totem hollyhock flowering deep red and pink

Death in life reveals itself- reseeding;

Gentle breeze as a pair of golden finches visit,

Begs for a radish sprout, just greening.

Okra pops its head up as if to say, ‘all is well.'

Interdependent community laughs and grows,

Holy basil spreads wisdom over the garden,

Gentle peace pervades as creeping thyme knows.


Middletown Community garden, 2018