CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — Brent Engel of Louisiana presented original outdoor-themed poetry during the Clarksville Library’s Plant Swap April 22. Engel read “The Gardener,” “Lightning Bugs,” “Golf,” “Baling in the Median,” “That Dang Boomerang,” “County Fair” “At the Drive-In” and “She Wore a Diphthong.” The event was part of Earth Day activities, and included presentations by Sue Abel, Herbert Everett and Mary and Ricky Fournier. Judy Allwood provided piano music and door prizes were awarded.

                                                    The Gardener

                                                                            By Brent Engel 

 

Feeble hands quiver slightly as they delicately place
seeds into the warm, loose soil

This is all that she has left now, a patch no longer planted

for noble practicality but because of unflinching tradition

 

There are no intrusions in this peaceful realm

and no rejection of a loving protector  

With the thunder comes the spring rain to awaken a kingdom

and the warmth of summer appeases her subjects

 

Invaders will eventually poke through the soil

or trample the staked rows, but her sons and daughters will rule

She thinks how blessed it is that life allows us to renew ourselves,

much as her garden blooms

 

Alas, she sighs, all beauty is grand

no matter how long it lasts

Here, of course, it will pass, just as the petals and pickings

Now, if the world would only stop making weeds