Working in Paradise

Judy's figs August 2011.

***

The Telling that Changes Everything XXII.

July 22, 2012

And Paradise?  And what is Paradise?

... A Paradise without work?  No,

in this Paradise we’re all working, 

And sometimes we wish life were easier.

–From Sun 15, Kostroma, Russia, fall 1995

We choose the

reality we trust, the bonds of affection

that best pull us up to our full height,

egg us on to do our most outstanding

work, give our gifts whole and unclouded

by doubt or dismay.  It’s called an act

of faith.  It doesn’t make you rich, 

but it does make you happy. 

–The Telling that Changes Everything XV.

***

I designed my own Paradise:

an island of sanity and love.

As I labor to uproot the high

grass weeds, shovel compost

from the hen house, feed and

water chicks six times a day;

as I brainstorm to outwit possums,

squirrels, birds, voles, which

peck, bite, and steal my peaches,

pears, tomatoes, I think: “This

is too hard."  The morning glory

vines that are swarming over

the sweet potatoes and bell

peppers are winning.  I’m losing.

The garden at its peak is

attracting all the thirsty, hungry

wildlife.  Yet I do harvest 

apples, figs, blueberries, tomatoes,

raspberries, cucumbers, and

peppers.  I make applesauce, 

pickles, vichysoisse, and 

minestrone.  I eat like a queen:

raspberries and milk for breakfast, 

cucumber and tomato with my 

cheese sandwich; eggplant

Parmesan or an omelet of fresh

eggs and herbs for supper.  I

drink lemon balm-peppermint tea.

I sleep like one dead, but every

morning is a resurrection.  Insects

bite me; my lower back aches; 

I fall asleep at the computer.  This

year’s hottest summer on record 

keeps me safe inside.  Yet I rise

early and spend the dusk with

the mosquitoes to fertilize, dig,

plant, and water more beans and

okra; pick the unharmed tomatoes

to save for spaghetti sauce.  The

freezer fills for the winter.  I write

and type my books.  The chicks

grow large and feisty.  My creatures

are all alive.  Of course, it’s Paradise.

I wanted this.  My aches and itches,

my exhaustion each night are

worth it to be here in this very

place, yes, working in Paradise.

You better believe it.