Nana's Garden

You won't find a yard like this anymore. You'd think it would seem smaller now that I'm an adult, but it doesn't. It's still enormous, stretching far beyond the house like a grassy sea. The hills roll like the tide, dotted with patches of melting snow that remind me of cresting waves. All around me, the gardens wake from a wintry slumber.


tiny buds cling to naked branches-- a robin sings
Time stands still here in Nana's garden; the ghosts of childhood haunt every inch of the yard. There's my brother, climbing the ancient apple tree, throwing crab apples at my sister as she plucks daisies. Even as she dodges apples, she plucks away - asking no one in particular if she's loved or not, leaving a trail of petals in her wake. And there I am in my grass-stained skirt, twirling and twirling, falling dizzily to the ground, oblivious to my sister's shrieks of protest and my brother's triumphant laugh. I shake my head and the vision clears. Now the garden is empty - still overflowing with trees and shrubs and flowers, but lacking in laughter, mischief, and innocence. Innocence has been replaced by wistfulness.
two robins glide across the sky-- a door creaks
"Tea's ready, dear." I glance over my shoulder at Nana. She stands on the back porch wearing her favourite apron and my favourite smile. Like her garden, she hasn't changed. A few more silver strands in her hair, a few more lines around her eyes - but she is still the same woman who took care of us, tending to us just as she tended to her gardens. She smiles at me now, as if she knows that garden has cast a spell over me. With another glance at the apple tree, I follow Nana inside the house - and I swear I can hear echoes of laughter behind me.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013



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Date: 3/20/2013 2:32:00 PM
Wonderful poem I'm just discovering on the eve of spring! Terry (Congratulations on your well deserved win)
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Date: 3/7/2013 11:12:00 AM
Congrats on your great win..Great that you honored your Nana by writing about her...Sara
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Date: 3/6/2013 7:31:00 PM
Another beautiful gem, Heather! Congratulations on your very fine win and knowing how our Grandmothers' fuss over us, I believe your Nana loves this! Love, annalise
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Date: 3/6/2013 5:38:00 PM
I love the sentiments of your grandmother. She makes me think of my own, who loved her garden more than anything else (except her family) ...just lovely writing Heather! Congratulations!
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Date: 3/6/2013 4:11:00 PM
this one was so deserving. Congrats to you, dear.
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Date: 3/6/2013 3:03:00 PM
Heather congrats on your win. Warm Smiles, Connie
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Date: 3/6/2013 10:46:00 AM
Your poem was perfect for this contest. Congratulations on the win.
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Date: 3/6/2013 9:33:00 AM
Sweet memories...you took me there as it reminds me of my grandmother. Excellent write !! Congrats on your win!
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Date: 3/6/2013 9:24:00 AM
Oh, so good, Heather. I see you can write in story form just as well as poetry. Very Impressed! I wanted to do one for this contest, but I'm afraid where I live, spring is only a nice way of saying summer, which is blistering hot and humid...haha...and my spring haibun kept coming out....not so nice.
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Date: 3/5/2013 9:38:00 PM
Heather, , ;-) Congratulations with your nice winning poem in Debbie's "Spring haibun" contest... xox~LINDA
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Date: 3/5/2013 6:58:00 PM
Such a charming write and your haiku sparkle like little gems. Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
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Ober Avatar
Heather Ober
Date: 3/7/2013 9:07:00 AM
I learned how to pen a proper haiku from the best! ;)
Date: 2/27/2013 10:45:00 AM
Precious memories artfully written. Touching.
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Date: 2/24/2013 8:29:00 PM
Oh yes indeed...yes indeed my dear and talented friend...Only difference?... Everything seemed so tiny, so small, though as a child it was enormous and seemingly endless...your poem makes me see and feel every minute detail - Tim
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Date: 2/23/2013 12:55:00 PM
love this tender and sweet write, Heather
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Date: 2/23/2013 11:33:00 AM
This is the best haibun I have read so far. You have an effortless transition between the prose and verse, with the haikus adding so much dimention to the whole. Wonderful memories; it is so realistic. ~Ps. I hope there was someone to catch you! I'm thrilled!
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Date: 2/22/2013 12:21:00 AM
wowowow, and I see that what you wrote is similar to the one I did on spring as well! I chose my front yard because I love how the trees look in my lawn each April. Yours is a very good haibun. We both put spring birds in our haiku as well!! I love that second haiku of yours with the creaking door. Great symbol of nostalgia!!
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Date: 2/21/2013 4:35:00 PM
Ahhhhh, this made me feel nostalgic. You have penned another marvelous poem. I will add this one to my favorites.
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Heather Ober
Date: 2/21/2013 5:12:00 PM
Thank you so much! I'm honoured :)
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