Two Gardens

Each morning she checked her garden
Wincing when bugs attacked precious leaves
Watering when soil looked dry
Blessing heaven for the bounty
Propping, pruning and picking

Then it was in the car and on the freeway
Down in the heart of Des Moines
Only stepping from the role she played
As HR manager for Principal Life
For fleeting moments of reflection

Her days were long and dotted with challenge
Harried office workers wanted more
Abusive customers created sad associates
If it went wrong with people she heard it
If it went right, it was seldom mentioned

But in the evenings, by the fading light
She returned to her green haven
And on the night in question
Raised a toast to “this peaceful site”
And to “those who need my patience”

Saying:
From this moment on, may I be mindful
Of both my gardens: one for produce
The other for money
But in the end, both
For the love of the living