Making A New Garden

By John I. Blair

Making a new garden
Where before there had been none
May be the most egregious form
Of egotism, or
It may be love.

Sometimes the two
Are indistinguishable.

Like love
Gardening involves
My whole soul:

I select a place,
Seek a vision,
Pick the plants –
Aspects of making
Something that wasn’t there
Before I started.

But also I’m aware
That gardening invokes
Destruction.

Some plants, some lives
Aren’t welcome at this table;
As many to remove
As seat, water, feed
And care for.

I’ve never understood
How anyone could garden
Absent some form of religion.

©2014 John I. Blair