The Pumpkin Grower

The Pumpkin Grower

I think of you now
the farmer and the gardener
working in a field heavily laden
with bright orange melons,
loaded on wagons one by one
backs bending
many hands
careful not to break the stems.

I heard you saying to no one in particular
Peter, Peter Pumpkin eater
had a wife and couldn’t keep her

Dusting them off, continuing
put her in a pumpkin shell
and there he kept her very well

hundreds came to see
what you had grown
arranged small, medium, large
the farmer stood among the magical gourds
chatting and smiling
while the gardener helped children pick the right one,
I watched – so proud to be there – and I knew
everything in the world was good.

© carole fults