Give her a spade and a bucket and leave her be
She’s happy digging and touching
Sometimes tasting the earth
I watch her as she lets the grain particles
Sift through her fingers…she reaches for the
Moist dirt.
The reflection of her great grandmother,
My mother-in-law, illuminates
Within her and I realize that I must make room
For her…….
My mind travels back to Lillian
I desired so much for her to come live with me
Wanted to make a place for her where she could
Plant and grow and water all the while singing
Melodies to the Lord
I dreamed of how I would have
A designated area just for her where she
Could be one with nature…….
No more making compost in the house and
Germinating seeds and soil in the bathtub
I loved my mother-in-law although we fought
About time and order
We weathered the conditions of life together
We laughed, loved, cried and
Shared hopes and dreams while cooking
Arroz con pollo with Ricky Martin
Or Julio Iglesias blaring in the
background (she was a hopeless romantic!)
How many times we would spend evenings
Together, me in the rocking chair with one of the
Babies and her sitting indian style on the couch
With a bowl of rice and don’t forget the cafe bustelo
It all comes back to me as I watch my grandbaby
(Morgan Lillian)
Give her a spade and a bucket and leave her be
She’s happy digging and touching
Sometimes tasting the earth
I’ll have to make room for
Her – her own designated area to plant and water
And make compost. Maybe we will even plant
A tree just for Lillian and watch it grow
5 Responses
Aww 💕
Vivid…
Maybe Morgan will be a little master gardener ♡
I love this poem. Morgan seems to love the earth
Beautiful tribute to your mother in law!