Leaves and stalks and twigs and flowers
This is all your business now
Children, worries, finance, ours
You moved on from why to how
Watch you working so intensely
Nature never had such aid
Years of caring helps immensely
You know what needs sun or shade
Do you wonder as you labour
Quite how many springs you'll see?
Are seasons shorter now or longer?
Is anything as sweet as tea?
You weed like there is no tomorrow
Perhaps because there is some doubt
You poison, murder, love and water
Perfect show it's all about
Life cannot be kept in order
Humans cannot be pruned back
But look at that herbaceous border
That at least is still on track
The modern world is quite a puzzle
Tortilla wraps and cash machines
Youth is all - it's quite a muddle
TV shows instead of dreams
Endings gesture from the bushes
Herbicides will be no use
Strokes and cancers and dementias
Age brings with it bitter truths
So turn again to this year's roses
Clip and fuss and feel so proud
Watch the bud so if it closes
You can mourn it fierce and loud
© Rachel Fox 2005
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