Saturday Afternoon

She had to attend another Inner Light conference,

something about struggling to find paradise.

We worked all afternoon to surprise her:

redwood sides, chicken wire bottom, ten bags of soil.

His small hands placed each leafy lettuce plant,

keeping the sun off the pale roots.

The tomatoes and basil could be buried in their pots.

What will they think of next?

As I watered the speckled dirt, he remembered the carrot

seeds on his shelf, a gift from his pre-school teacher.

When she got home we covered her eyes, led her outside,

her smile completing our paradise.