Seeds

           for Florencia Lozano

I take the time each day to plant a seed,

   And even then, that doesn’t mean it grows.

Burned by the sun or stifled by a weed,

   Drowned by a thunderstorm, devoured by crows—

It may not ever live to bud and flower

   No matter how I tend it, or I pray.

Over its future life, I have no power.

   Which is why I keep planting, day by day.

I will not live to see this garden grow

   And make seeds of its own from what I plant.

Time is the reaper; I am here to sow

   And say “Watch me!” when the world says “You can’t.”

      And do what I do out of love and need

      And make the time each day to plant a seed.

Copyright 2017 Matthew J Wells