Sonnet: Gardening

Sitting out in the dirt I plant a seed,
Water it well, wait for a while to see.
What else could such a small thing ever even need?
How big will you grow, as big as a tree?
The sun ceremoniously  faces
toward the ground where you lie beneath the soil
buried.  Crushing weight keeps you in some places
you never thought you would - enduring toil!

Is it worth it in the end? Drought, weeds, rocks
but you are no stranger to trouble so
on you strive.  Cracking the hard outer blocks
that once protected what you aim to sew.
The ground that held you in, now pushes out
Supporting the stem, which takes its own route.

Pretzel Icing

Value that can't be bought,
Amazed at the thought.
Little things that matter,
Even a small gift.
Now let the dipping begin,
Then add sprinkles for the win!
Imagine finding them upon awaking
No one to thank.
Enjoy love's unknowable
Sent without a label.

Narrative poem: Black and White

So little you were
less than five pounds
causing even less trouble.

Sleep and you,
the connection so close,
I too became a good friend.

It was run, play
always something to do,
doing half the things I told you.

Mom brought fruit,
supposedly not for you, but
then it was gone, your hunger too.

Boring life never was -
you grew with dad's love, an
extra handout or two at supper for you.

Rides in the wheelbarrow,
one time tricked. Water sitting,
you jumped in and broken was your trust.

There for me always;
I held you as I cried, you let
me be, never a word, just your deed.

Only time knows all,
it knows you too. It called
your name, now you are gone...

The pillow is mine,
and you no longer greet me,
we know, you were the best companion.

Narrative paragraph: Black and White

            You were so little when you came to us.  You weighed less than five pounds and hardly caused us any trouble.  Sleep was a constant companion of yours and I of you – so sleep and I became great friends too.  You would run and play and only do half the things I told you to.  One day Mom cut up a whole tray of fresh fruit – apples, oranges, grapes – but they weren’t for you.  When nobody was looking though the fruit was all gone from the table and there you were and there we were.  But you weren’t hungry anymore. 

            Life wasn’t ever boring with you around!  You grew to your full size and then you grew some more as Dad paid special attention to you when it was supper time (or breakfast or lunch).  You were always there for me.  I held you as I cried and you never said anything, just let me be.  Then life was better.  You’d ride in our green wheelbarrow to help build my strength and gain a higher position in the world.  Dad tricked you one time and had you jump in when there was water sitting inside.  Oh how you hated water!  It took you months to jump back in and ride again.  Your trust had been broken.

            Time and you had reached a decision – you were getting old. Breathing and walking and eating all became too much for you…and then…you were gone.  Now your leash hangs unused and my pillow remains all mine.  You were the best companion.

Re-written narrative of KayPo's poem: Metamorphosis

Depression and low self-esteem,

   you thought you couldn't be redeemed.

But then there was a man,

   and suddenly you had a plan.

Yet not even friends,

    he became the means to an end.

Higher and higher it went,

    seeming only heaven sent.

Until crashing down it came,

    things never to be the same!

God had something to show,

    something you needed to know.

Love and appreciation,

    part of your declaration.

How you were to appear,

    suddenly it became more clear.

Still the journey is hard,

    it might leave some scars;

Your goals you've set,

    to the past you've paid your debt.

Shells help protect

    only now it's time to defect.

Wonderfully and fearfully,

    God made you so perfectly!

December brought change,

    A loss of fifty pounds was strange.

Trials were many,

    But of faith you had a plenty.

You kept on going,

    all your hard work showing.

You are a witness to others,

    sharing with your sisters and brothers.

Confident in who God made,

    Never again to be swayed.

Now, no one can define you,

    except for the One who created you.