The Giving Tomato By Arman Hoque

I once had a dream of a beautiful garden.
I thought a garden is a great place to have a back yard in.
Whether one’s in the other or the other’s in the same,
I approached giving to the nature nearby as a summertime game.

I planted a variety of seeds with tenderness and care.
I breathed rejuvenation and the promise of fresh air.
I sowed into the earth, marking lines in the land.
My green journey began as I’d begun to understand.

I watered my seedlings as they started to grow,
Tiny signs of my labour of love did show.
Yet only in my mind, did nature’s connection I know.

As time went by, my plants grew some more;
What started as recreation became more of a chore.
As walks and acts of giving care started to make me sore.
Then the day came when the first flower bore.
Somehow, from then on, the aches didn’t bother me anymore.

I approached every bloom and tendril with love,
Dreaming of the fruit that would blossom Thereof.
Gently shaping each part with passion and care;
Getting gardening gloves and clothes to have fashionable wear.
The garden took shape from what wasn’t there.
I’d created a Microsystem from out of love and thin air.

Veggies and roses, in various poses around,
Burst out alive from the invested-in ground.
Water flowing through the garden with a sonorous sound.
By midsummer’s night, there were flowers, fruit and veggies abound.

That’s when the garden breathed life past itself into others -
Animals of all sizes, birds of all colours
Made the garden a home or a stop to lands other.

I harvested the crops with vigour and zeal.
Some I’d mid together or spice into a meal.
Some types of plants have particular appeal.
Eggplant and tomato I’ll plant again next year.
I’ll harvest a few more tomatoes before they disappear.

The tomato plants were splendid,  robust and strong.
Birds came for my grapes and paid us in song.
The fish in the pond thrived as they grew.  
This summer’s school of babies were something brand new.

The garden came together on the back of the tomato vine;
So robust it grew, with fruit sweet and fine;
Gave perfect demonstration of how my garden did shine.

The harvest is over, the colours have faded,
The chill that comes to bear has been reinstated.
I walk into the mist, as the cool climate grows;
And yet lo and behold, two last tomatoes.

A smile in my heart, I savour the smell,
the garden’s earthy fullness, like natures own spell.
I head back indoors to await winter… oh well.