| |
|
Snow came swiftly this year
Thick folds over unraked leaves
White piles upon garden chairs
I thought I had more time
Today, again more snow
I’m shoveling the walk tulip bulbs
wait patiently in bags in the garage
The garden hose stands frozen in curves
I left it there one recent rainy day
Maybe the snow will soon melt
I’ll rake the snow-sodden leaves
onto the vegetable beds,
Trowel through frost-crusted earth,
Place bulbs into holes
? a little blood meal to discourage the squirrels ?
Carry the hose to the basement
Stack garden chairs under the eaves
Pile flower pots upside down
I thought I had more time
This poem is featured in the Women Artist’s Datebook, 2017 (Syracuse Cultural Workers).
Used here with the author’s permission.
|
Susan Wismer is a poet, gardener (her life, she says, is "punctuated by my relationships with the plants and trees in my yard”), grandmother, and dancer. Widely published in journals and anthologies, Susan lives "gratefully nested” at the shores of Georgian Bay in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.
|
|
rhonasheridan:
A lovely poem - and how I love the words "gratefully nested"!
Posted 11/21/2016 01:43 AM
|
Lori Levy:
Great image of the garden hose "frozen in curves."
Posted 11/20/2016 09:54 PM
|
Michael:
Susan,
You've painted a picture of my typical experience! I must do better this year.
Thank you.
Posted 11/20/2016 07:03 PM
|
transitions:
Don't we all...Well done.
Posted 11/20/2016 11:03 AM
|
Jo:
Enjoyed reading this poem
Posted 11/20/2016 09:30 AM
|
KevinArnold:
This is one of those 'poems of the last line,' which I love.
Posted 11/20/2016 09:20 AM
|
cork:
The "snow spaces" are lovely.
Posted 11/20/2016 09:04 AM
|
Katrina:
I like this.
Posted 11/20/2016 05:47 AM
|
|
|
|
My Cart 
