with hope and sadness . the half-alive plant struggles . in a toxic space
as leaves change color . a promise is made; next spring . we’ll do it again
each generation . has its cornerstones; anchors . to keep it in place
as the speed of time . increases, stopping to breathe . is mandatory
we tend our gardens . crowded with the memories . of complete strangers
tomorrow will come . as yesterday did, at night . renamed as today
a community . rises wherever a stone . is placed on a pile
to be remembered . by action if not by name . step in wet cement
waiting for the snow . the shovel stands patiently . with nothing to do
imagine the sounds . being played in the silence . that goes unnoticed
uptown jack 