A joy to have hands in the dirt again
knees on the ground
to dig a bed of day lilies
stella d'oro - golden star
I see their blossoms
glowing in the sun
four months from now
but today the feel of the wet soil
cold to the touch
is like a breath of mountain air
bringing up memories
of summer roses
columbine
jasmine and peonies
the fertile earth
for all that we have done
whether from ignorance
or greed or disrespect
still is prepared
to nurture the new life
the roots and tubers
the tender shoots and seeds
that we entrust her with
her precious body
pulsing even now in February
with spring's sweet promise
with the life to come