we miss so much when we alter nature
the tomato that once smelled like a luscious sweet fruit
has been neutered and left with no perfume
the woman who called herself grandmother
mending socks and shirts with her needle and thread
so proud of her life and the lines that framed her smile
loving the kitchen and making magic there
she was always enough for herself
her loved filled her heart and moved us all to tears
through the years she reigned
the grandmother, the wise one, who knelt with God
in her daily prayers
made no excuses for her choices
they were her own
she did not neuter her perfume
for the sake of the long journey home
she breathed in her life and out her love
like the fish that Jesus brought
she made more
out of nothing
than those who live
to make nothing out of more
her fragrance landed on me today
soft pink roses at my door
her rose petal water
brought her back to life
this early morn
to show me love
is always best
when it is cared for, mended, and caressed
and we can honestly bless the day we were born
for life is beautiful
not because of what we make it
only because of what it is
love manifested in flowers and smiles
and treasured kisses
where the ripe tomato basks in its own perfume
