City Mouse

Stephanie Nelson Pondrom

Serviceberries

The Garden Path Isn’t a Straight One

In fact, the best laid plans and plots

calculated in the dark months when the ground is
black and still
and tucking deeper and deeper under winter quilts
while long nights creep along

have twists.

The earth maps plans of her own.

I draw one, two, three, five Downy Serviceberry saplings
In a measured hedge of soft white blossoms
that stretch their tiny hands to touch the springtime light.
15 feet tall! eventually.
A testament for future path-walkers to the keen eye and
wise forethought of the gardener
who plotted
then dug
deep seats for dusty roots into the relenting earth.

While the cold ground nods and tenderly smiles behind
damp, closed eyes
And dreams of a young doe, heavy with fawn,
Drawing her own meandering paths
And seeking bright shoots from young trees.