The Smell of the Soil

Turning the sod
creating the garden
where the ledge grew
nothing but stone
lines in the granite
the beautiful vein of quartz
the smell of the soil
rising from the earth

Each bite of my spade
slow work in summer
later than I planned
because of the rain that fell
pushing me further
into the season
but wetter, richer soil
giving to the toil
the work of my hands

Rich soil, ready for planting
the plants of the garden
growing in the sun
a template of the garden
I pray for this season
came to life in the yard
last spring and summer
out beyond the trees


February 1, 2010