Next Year in the Garden … Winter

A poem in four parts. Each part will be posted seasonally:

Next Year in the Garden

Part IV–Winter

Next year in the garden I won’t get delusional when I see this year’s seeds on sale. I won’t buy enough to feed all of central Vermont and I won’t think I’m a rich man as I flip through the colorful packets in January. I won’t question why I bought two types of turnips. I hate turnip.

I won’t delude myself into thinking I can grow seven varieties of pepper from seed.

I won’t buy seeds for inedible greens with exotic Japanese names,

I will store my squash properly, so they don’t rot .

I will give gifts of garlic and elderberry wine as if I am bestowing frankincense and myhrr (even though the elderberry wine sucks).

I won’t take it personally when I see how cheap garlic is at Costco

I won’t check the mail for the first seed catalog the day after Christmas.

I will think good thoughts when we eat last summer’s pesto.

Next year in the garden I won’t think I am part of life’s great cycle just because I pee on the frozen compost.

Stephen Morris is the editor and publisher of Green Living: A Practical Journal for Friends of the Environment. He can be reached at Stephen@thepublicpress.com .