Master Gardener

I worked my little plot of land today
four raised beds wedged between
neighboring homes
ceaseless traffic
wailing sirens.
It's nothing much
only a few cubic feet
of composted soil hosting
lettuce
tomatoes
basil
cucumbers
not enough to feed a nation
or even a village
yet more than enough to feed
my soul.

In the past
I've been known to plant much more
always desiring the challenge
digging too many holes
casting too many seeds.
In my quest to be a master gardener
I tried too hard— becoming
disillusioned
exhausted
scattered.

I find that I often access life
in this same manner
trying to encircle
too large a portion
not realizing or acknowledging
my limitations
pushing
pressing
to be what I am not.

I'm not asked
to plant an orchard
or expected to cultivate the fields.
I'm merely entrusted with the care of
my microscopic plot
my tiny segment of creation
tending
cherishing
developing
feeding it well
narrowing my focus
allowing me to ultimately
become one of His—
molded and shaped into
a master gardener.

Melanie