Gardening with the Animals

Spring is here

with premature warmth:

Ice Pansies and Johnny Jump-ups

beckon me to forget

that we did have snow

in April

       on tulips . . .

but the Jump-ups are planted.

Now bargain-basement

hosta and caladium bulbs

whisper to me

and I fall for their siren call,

plant them appropriately

in the 'partial sun/shade' bed . . .

out back . . .

where the deer frolic

who find fresh hostas

irresistible;

where one chipmunk has lived

for our five years here

in the exact same flower bed,

unearthing annuals

placed

on inauspicious spots

where a hole must be

to release the chi.