Poetry | Wandering into Spring

A Late March Lament (Let’s Try This Again)

Come up! I know you’re down there.

It’s the last week in March, three straight days of spring-time sun,

So, hiding in the soil just won’t do,

After all those bulbs I planted in October –

It’s just not fair!

I’m sorry I dug the holes too close,

And can’t remember which are where – 

Tulips, iris, bluebells, and daffs – 

But surely something should be up by now,

To stop me feeling so morose.

But wait! What’s that next to the shed,

Where the light reflects, and warms the earth?

Is that a crocus? A yellow crocus? I must have done something right,

With trowel and bone meal and, judging the light,

And choosing this place for a new-dug bed.

Thank you, God – whoever or whatever you are – for another chance,

To make it right with earth and plants.

A Walk in the Garden With Peggy

Come walk with me in the garden,

and hold my hand.

We’ll see if the rosebush is blooming – 

that one we planted last Fall.

And we’ll pull a carrot.

You’ll want to wash it,

but I’ll just laugh and brush the dirt off

and eat it.

Later we’ll sit on the porch

and talk about what’s for dinner.

Then sleep.

I’ll see your eyes flutter before you

awaken next morning; and

when you see me watching you

you’ll say:

“Did we walk in the

garden yesterday?

          © 2023 & 2019 Thomas F. Pursell