by Michelle Robinson
Our back yard won’t win prizes. It could really use a fix.
In winter we don’t notice when the snow piles up and sticks.
But springtime’s busy springing and our back yard’s springing, too —
Buds and shoots and . . . who knows what that is, but it sure grew.
This used to be my Grandma’s yard. She knew each plant by name.
She tried to teach me all of them by making it a game.
Pearly Everlasting, Goldenrod and Queen Anne’s Lace.
I’d listen, quite enchanted, strawberry stains across my face.
Muddy gumboots, dirty kneecaps, sticky little fingers . . .
Those days are gone, but in our yard, my Grandma’s memory lingers.
Her touch is in the flowerbeds, the pathways and the trees.
It’s thanks to her our yard’s abuzz with cheerful birds and bees.
I don’t recall each flower’s name. I’m not sure which are weeds.
But what my Grandma taught me is: names aren’t what this yard needs.
It just needs time, a little care, some water and some sun.
Most of all, it needs some love. This back yard should be fun.
We get to work one balmy day. The kids make it a game.
A breeze blows through the buds of May and whispers Grandma’s name.
Another year without her, but her yard’s still going strong.
And even though I’ll make mistakes, I’ll not go too far wrong.
When it comes to gardening, there’s so much I don’t know.
But I know this: it warms my heart to watch my garden grow.
Summer’s in full swing now, and our back yard’s in its glory.
My lovely Grandma’s legacy and never-ending story.
Copyright © 2024 Michelle Robinson
Michelle Robinson is a renowned international writer of children’s literature now living in Tatamagouche.
Her bio on Amazon says, “She has written many picture books including bestsellers, ‘The World Made a Rainbow’ and the ‘Goodnight Tractor’ series. Her books are popular in homes and classrooms all over the world, and include ‘Ten Fat Sausages’, winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards, and ‘There’s a Lion in my Cornflakes’, winner of the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award.”
Thank you Michelle for contributing to our site!
7 Responses
My mind flooded with memories of my grandmother’s back yard. A two up, two down terrace house with the privy and the coal shed behind.
She had lavender the length of her washing line and the bed sheets would be heavy with scent. I sat on the bench with her shelling peas for supper but I remember eating more than I added to the pot ????
How lovely, Sonia. I remember shelling peas with my gran, too.
Love this❤️ It says a lot about how I feel about a garden .Knowing the name of a plant isn’t as important as how it makes you and the people around you feel????
I’m so glad you can relate, Valerie! My grandma never stepped foot on the shores, but I feel her with me every time I see the grape hyacinths and lily of the valley in my garden.
L0VE this Michelle!!!
Thanks, Laura!
How beautiful! Each word a root that helps us all blossom and smell the memory of loved ones tending fields.
Thank you for sharing,
Sarah