Garden Poem

By Rachel Dyck

Dedicated to Evy Dyck, an amazing supporter and wonderful grandmother to many grand-plants

Sometimes the world seems so heavy
Lonely and laden with strife
Amidst all the chaos around us

A garden can teach us of life

Each summer I grow a small garden

and put in the work I must do
now let me say that it goes both ways;
the garden – it helps me to grow, too

So many things that I notice

while working with plants as they grow
are lessons – reminders – that show me
things I might think that I know

It begins with preparing and planting

for the season that lies up ahead
at first, the garden looks empty;
barren, perhaps even dead

Then when I’m feeling discouraged

when I’m tired of waiting for birth
I notice a tiny green shoot
sprouting up from the dark brown earth

A wee little seed that was sown

grows into a plant of great height
Not because of my skills, but what a great thrill
to be part of a precious new life

The weather can cause great frustration

the weeds and the insects are bad
but in spite of the questions and toiling
a garden, it makes a soul glad

Gardeners, they need not be genius;

willingness is the key
the hope that is found in the garden
is what makes it worthwhile for me