the gardener (for Judy)

2 or 3 years ago
she bought the fertilizer
a spray attachment 
for the garden hose

she maintained a ritual
spraying the garden
evenly
carefully
on summer evenings

these were difficult years
tangled with old weeds
seeking water and light
she felt a withering within
few flowers bloomed

today she came in laughing
she found the garden sprayer 
its lid still well sealed
she had not been fertilizing at all

now she ponders it still
and has a new feeding ritual
seeking water
finding the light

she is growing again
and smiling a little
impatiently awaiting the harvest
of sweet healthy fruit

			© Chuck Beals 2001