Planting Before Rain
by Harvey Taylor
We saw clouds gathering in the West,
and heard the weather forecast:
scattered showers over the next couple of days,
along with a warming trend, just the incentive
we needed for Spring planting.
We worked in fresh compost,
amended with equine contributions,
and soon peas, spinach, collards,
kale, and chard were subterranean,
tamped, and sprinkled for good luck.
I could hear gentle rain on the roof
during the night, and fell asleep picturing
seed coats softening, tiny embryos awakening,
rooting, and beginning their monumental journey
through dense darkness, to the light