AFTER THE RAIN

I’m still here after the rain
tending the tomatoes
pushing black pepper seedlings
back into the ground with these fingers
still startled
at why sweet onion bulbs
deleted smiles from our eyes

I’m still here after the rain
standing alone like the land I stand on
gazing into distant future
like one facing life like the view
from an airplane

it’s after six and I’m still here
in the garden after the rain
with my feet in the mud
holding a steaming teacup
once filled with ice cream
tending words that grow like
a chimney without a soul