I started a garden

Starting with plants

I am learning how to keep growing things alive

I have learned how to forgive

Forgiving the rose for its thorns and the cactus for its spikes

Forgiving the browning leaves from curling away from the too-bright sun

Forgiving the soil for its acidity

Forgiving the flower and its pollen for beckoning the plump honey bee

Forgiving the honey bee for its buzzing work song

Forgiving the soldier ant for its bite

Forgiving the sun for shining and burning and brightening and setting behind soft clouds of lilac and pink and amber gold

Forgiving myself for forgetting how to help growing things grow

Forgiving myself for growing