by Sally O'Quinn

Created on: June 17, 2008

Lessons from the Garden

As a child I walked between the rows
of my mother's garden,
kicking up bouquets of dust
from soil so rich
we felt like the
Rockefellers.

Summers were spent there,
out of school,
tending and gathering crops
under dragonfly blue skies
while the garden taught me
lessons.

I learned from the beans
to climb into the sun
and that delicate tendrils
may find purchase
on unlikely
foundations.

I learned from the squash
that a spiny exterior
can soften and change
given a little time and
the right sort of
attention.

I learned from the potatoes
that wonderful treats
can be found right under our nose
if we don't mind digging a little
and getting our hands
dirty.

I learned from the corn
that only when the silks are
dark and brittle with age
do they offer up ears
most tasty and
sweet.

I learned from the tomatoes
that sometime burdens
are too much to bear alone,
and it's best to lean
on a circle of
support.

There in the garden
with the sun on my shoulders
and dirt between my toes
I learned the lessons of Life
in a classroom without walls.

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