Care Fully

No question.  The neighborhood is changing.  Lawns are disappearing, as are some flower gardens. Sadly, I am also witnessing the passing of some old fruit trees. This makes me think that people are being a bit hasty about jettisoning their plants and trees, and truthfully, seeing any of it replaced with artificial turf makes me cranky.      

 

Yet, there is still much beauty to be seen. Because San Leandro is is a city that allows vegetable gardens in the front yard,  I am seeing some creative and thoughtful gardening.  I also often hear busy back yard chickens.  I see people keeping their most beloved plants watered one shower bucket at a time.  I recently saw an elder come out of his house with a small pan of water.  He carefully poured that water at the base of a tree. Yes, our landscape may be in the process of being permanently altered, but let us  tend to the life and beauty around us.  Maybe this is really how we learn to care.     

    

  

Hold on to what is good
even if it is
a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe
even if it is
a tree which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do
even if it is
a long way from here.
Hold on to life even when
it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand even when

I have gone away from you. 

    

Hold On To What Is Good  from Many Winters, 1974, by Nancy Wood