Tomatoes By June

Watching my neighbor work in the muddy garden patch on a warm March day.

A false Spring, I was fooled once
Tricked like the blooms on the azaleas
Whose petals fell with an early March frost.

I saw it coming this year,
Unlike last year, when the shoes came off,
Replaced by flip-flops, two months too soon.

This year, I wasn’t fooled
But my azaleas still bloomed.

The garden plot in my neighbor’s yard
Is muddy but freshly tilled.
He’s worked it every day,
Enjoying the short-sleeved warmth
Of the past few weeks
Hoping for tomatoes before June
Instead of July.

He’s out there now
With sandy-mud caked on his white Reeboks
Working barehanded,
Having given up on the gloves,
Only when they became too slick to use.

He just chucked a rock from his plot.  
It splashed in a pool from this morning’s rain,
Releasing a pair of Chickadees
Who were enjoying a mud puddle bath.

The flurry of wings flapping
Turned my head in time to see them disappear
Into one of the wax myrtles he planted to separate our yards.

Reviews

[Papaya]

I've been fooled by Spring many a time. We just had an ice storm here and I didn't leave the house for three days. I love how you describe this scene, and then end it with the deliberate separation of yards. It feels to me like that was the punch line.

[James]

It really was a punch line. I was sitting on my porch writing and trying not to laugh at him in his muddy garden. We didn't exactly get along.

[James]

Incidentally, I'm reading this poem at a college poetry reading next week. I hope it is as well received.

[Papaya]

That is so great. I am thinking one day I will have the courage to do that. I've recorded a few here and there but never LIVE and in person.

[James]

Soundcloud? I'd love to hear. I've done a few there.

[Papaya]

yes, but i deleted them :)

[emmajoy]

We've just had our hottest April day for 70years in the UK.. but even so the flowers survived cos they were fed up with holding still as the rains, sleet and snow fell into the beginning of April!! Consequently, love this poem.. it makes me think happily of how Nature beats the odds!. You've captured some sweet moment:, azaleas' success, the tomatoes (maybe ripe by 29th June just to be on the safe side), , the flip flops and every little brightness, and then that ending.. not sure i should have smiled.. Typical - can happen. Lovely write.. especially to a resting pro' 'gardener' )

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we are separated from spring by these intermittent winter days...just like people are separated by fences, and silence.
we are aware but decide to put off contact...just as nature is aware of spring coming and gets fooled...sometimes people fool us...and are more wintry in their personalities than warm and sunny like summer.
j.

[Lorry]

I was hearing won't be fooled again, by the who playing as I read this James. I see a lot of similarities of people the world over being fooled by another false dawn.
We are still being fooled up here, with spring not quite ready to come out and play yet. The shorts and t shirts are on stanby though :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

What an absorbing read this is! I think many people have been fooled by Mother Nature this year. One thing I'd suggest - make a change on your last line - "into" is one word.

[James]

Thanks, I'm embarrassed I didn't catch that. Glad you enjoyed this.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I really did. You captured the diligence of the gardener very well!

[barleygirl]

The ultimate blessing is to find a new posting from YOU these days!! *yippee!* You are describing, with pungent imagery, my exact feelings as I watch my garden go thru the fits & starts of this lazy lackadaisical springtime, this year! We still have almost-frosty mornings in mid-coastal-California! My plants are all looking droopy & sad, but not quite killed. I love all your friendly descriptions which feels like being plunged right into your life & your yard & your neighborhood. Please keep writing! We miss you when you're slacking off! *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[James]

I hardly write anymore. I don't really know why. Since i started playing banjo, I guess I've been consumed with it. But, wow, what a compliment. I'm glad you enjoy what I write. I will be reading this poem and one other at a poetry reading next week. I hope I don't freeze up.

[barleygirl]

I have the same problem . . . I can only focus on one main passion at a time! When I'm gardening, I slack off on the writing, & so on! Good luck with your reading!