My Garden

by

Andrew O. Leskinen

My garden’s quite a mess

My roses are unpruned

My peas are growing wild

My tomatoes haven’t bloomed

I see my neighbor’s yard

A product of diligence and toil

And while I marvel at the sunset

They’re aerating their soil

Now its not that I don’t want

My lawn manicured and green

My rose’s in full bloom

My garden neat and clean

But it just seems to bedevil me

Every time I venture out

With high aspirations and

Determination in my soul

I slip down amongst

My rows of healthy weeds

The ground so cool to the touch

And the warm sun embracing me

I work around my spindly plants

Pulling out my sturdy weeds

But then I stop to look above,

As the clouds drift over me

I dream up at the summer sky

As I lie with my thriving weeds

My back against the cool earth

A gentle breeze brushing over me

In time I become aware

Of neighbors peering over fences

Disgust and disbelief

Etched upon their frowning faces

It is then I know I cannot lie

Asleep amongst my healthy weeds

On public display

For all my neighbors to see

So I gather myself up

And ascend from the earth

Stride to my back porch,

And grab my rod and reel

I know an old gnarled oak tree

Growing close upon the creek

Where a fellow can lie down

And get some peaceful sleep