Ma's Garden

Ma issued a decree that Pa received with very little ardor: "A vegetable garden is needed to supplement our meager larder!" Pa would rather spend his leisure time snoozing on the couch, But he allowed he'd better get to work to appease the dear old grouch! Pa hadn't been an ardent granger when a young Hoosier lad, Laboring under the demanding oversight of his agrarian Dad! Since his options were rather slim, he set upon tilling a patch, And with spade, shovel and rake cleared it of its thatch. Ma said, "I want lettuce, radishes and sweet pertaters, Carrots, cabbages, rhubarb and beefsteak termaters. Onions, asparagus, sweet corn and blackeyed peas, And celery, string beans and rutabagas if you please!" Under Ma's constant cajoling his summer looked very bleak. He knew he had a "long row to hoe," so to speak! Pa spent the summer planting, weeding and ever wishing, He'd be relieved of his plight so that he could go fishing! For seeds, plants and such they'd spent a fortune in dough, And all that hoeing and spading had'nt helped Pa's lumbago. Muttering beneath his breath, "Things'll be different next year; She can plant flowers - I'll sit in the shade and enjoy a frosty beer!" Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved) Placed No. 4 in How Does Your Garden Grow Contest