Power in the Garden

Power in the Garden

You are pondering the power
that forces the snail, winter grass,
and turtle egg in the far-off garden.

Rain cleansed cherry branches
then frost questioned
blooms and tender leaves.

They answer nodding,
fold up death and drop
in leisure.

But you commence stirring this power—
snail, grass, and egg bud—
to blossom to darkness.

A short verse of birds glides up
to meet morning
simple but pregnant.

In the memory of cotton days
and her bandana bowing—
plucking, you prepare

to seize this power
as did the dark arms
of your mother.