Battling

Gardeners spend the season battling
yellow dandelions in the spring.
They might find grubs in the soil
making for more unwanted toil.
This battle has now turned to war
for dedicated gardeners.

Without fail slugs will find the hostas.
Gardeners devise ways to take them hostage.
After they think aphids are under control,
they soon find green worms on the flowering rose.
Yes, the battle has turned to war
for most dedicated gardeners.

Japanese beetles come every summer
making more work for the gardener.
Some years there are uninvited striped beetles and bugs galore.
For sure, the dedicated gardener is never bored.
Gardeners battle to win the war.
That's just part of being a gardener.

Not only do gardeners battle insects and beetles,
they declare war on weeds - a season-long battle.
Rather dandelions
or two types of plantain,
gardeners declare incessant war -
that's just part of being a gardener.

At my house there's unwanted purslane
and horsetails - both a genuine pain.
They both came in a load of topsoil
which now make for constant labor and toil.
Though war is declared, the battle is waylaid.
This warrior's combat has begun to fade.

* * * * *

Every day there's a battle of some sort,
though unwanted, I'm sorry to report.
Gardeners daily fight insects and weed seeds
but there are worse struggles to battle, indeed.

There are physical, emotional, and mental battles.
Everyone fights the battle of gossip.  Please don't tattle.
Physical struggles come and are hard to deal with.
Emotional conflicts take longer to forgive.

Mental battles with oneself even weaken the strong.
There are spiritual combats between right and wrong.
It seems we constantly fight something
as no one knows what day will bring.

We struggle not to eat too much
otherwise we might end up feeling stuffed.
We battle not to spend too much
even though we already have too much stuff.

Battles are meant to make us stronger
so we'll grow stronger faith and trust.
Pray that your battle does not linger,
that everything turns out fair and just.

Please don't give up on your battle,
with whatever it is you are saddled.
Fight to win the battle by declaring war
then you'll learn the good things God has in store.

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or discouraged...
for there is a greater power with us than with him...
with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.
II Chronicles 32:7-8

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.