Pumpkin
Farming
In the early spring I get down on my hands and knees
and tuck each sleeping seed into the still cold soil;
then I give it a pat, wish it good luck, and pray for some sun.
Within two weeks the land begins to live -
pumpkin plants sprout from the graves of their seeds.
But they are not alone - other vegetation appears
without invitation, intercession, or apparent origin.
The hitherto quiet, rustic countryside becomes a
battlefield, forcing me to defend my chosen with a
long-stemmed hoe, stained with streaks of green,
against the heathen interlopers who have stinging nettles to snare the unwary.
The confrontation continues for many days until suddenly
without warning, the pumpkin plants explode their
leaves, and victory is assured.
Come Fall the green leaves wither, revealing their bright, orange prize,
and I know the battle was more than worth the while,
as I enjoy excited children's happy Halloween smiles.
Susan van Alsenoy