A Tiny Plot of Land

Photo: (c) Jamie K. Reaser

There is a tiny plot of land I tend:

miniature daffodils,

bearded iris,

spiderwort

at the base of bluebird box

on post,

frequented by generations

of Carolina chickadees.

Thick layers of shredded cedar mulch

invite hemlocks to headstart.

It pains me to pull them.

Relocation attempts have thus far failed –

their roots run deep.

I make apologies by the season.

Sometimes I venture a few feet

forward

or backward

or to the sides

and tend tiny plots of mown grass –

pick up sticks,

brush off leaves,

offer a neighborly “hello.”

But I always return

to my named plot –

sit for spell and ponder

or just sit.

Still.

Today, while planting a single-bloomed iris,

white,

vein-trimmed in deep royal purple…

Today it occurred to me that

no matter where I live

this two by three spread

will be the one plot of land that

I nurture the longest in this lifetime,

and with the most gratitude.

The blue ceramic urn below

no doubt

cracked open long ago.

It’s been sixteen years.

Happy Mother’s Day.

© 2011-2013/Jamie K. Reaser

From "Sacred Reciprocity: Courting the Beloved in Everyday Life." (www.hiraethpress.com)