Rhythm

The rhythm of the work is to set down Her padded bench, a flat, and trowel at the End of a bed and drop as if in prayer, Reach for the trowel (bent for her old Hand at right angles), dig, then grope for a pot. You may see each hole is deep and wide enough To exactly take the root ball. She carefully Holds this in her shade, tips the damp Mass in, packs with trowel, repeats all -- three Or four times -- then stands. Behind her, some Four plants glow green in any six feet of bed.

The rhythm of this work, when best, resembles How monks or nuns in supplication glide Easily to the floor, centered, unconcerned With body or mind, then rise, then glide again, Outcomes not sought, nor merit earned. Right to the end of the bed she goes, Kneeling to simply do with her rough hands.