She Was the Gardener: A Poem

 She was the gardener, the caretaker

Just one factor in an intricate equation

Of sun and soil

Of weeds and weather

Of temperature and time

And rain; received or withheld

And yet it must be said: she is essential 

For without the gardener there is no garden

See and select 

Examine and eliminate

Toil and travail

Prod what is into what can be

Still Nature has the upper hand

They’re the principal partner, the big boss 

Acquiesce and accept 

Embrace and endure 

Marvel and make do

And hope, realized or deferred