The Garden

and in the morning 

she goes in the backyard, her hands in worn

leather garden gloves clutching pruning shears

and a Japanese weeding knife.

before her time in the garden is up,

before the call to work drowns out the 

songs of the vinca, roses and crab apple tree,

a bin has been filled with pulled weeds, 

she has buried her 

nose in newly bloomed lilacs and gazed

at the beauty of multi-colored tulips,

the birdbath is filled with clear water.

there is more harmony of color and light

in the garden, and more calm in her heart.