Gardener George

He'll proudly say his name is
George Washington Carver Smith
the green magic in his fingers
is more than just a myth

He's raised night-blooming cereus
and tomato plants from seeds
but his greatest pride in growing
is the folks his bounty feeds

He's a whiz at starting seedlings 
in egg crates and tin cans
he transfers them to rooftop beds
built from scraps by his two hands

That's where Ms. Phyllis found him
when she went up to grab a smoke
(she knows that she should quit now
but some days she just can't cope)

George toured her round his gardens
his heart showed in his work
his only limitations
were lack of space and dirt

So Phyllis made a leap of faith
and arranged a thoughtful gift
a key to the community garden plot
for George Washington Carver Smith

Now his zucchini crops are legend
his tomatoes in demand
so tender and so juicy
you must carry them by hand

It's a far cry from his homeless days
searching produce trash for seeds
now yuppie gardeners tip him
for his growing expertise

He grows sweet corn and carrots
and melons and green peas
all season long he hands them out
so the street folks get their C

Any time of day you'll find George
tending his garden rows
though he now has a place to sleep
home is where his garden grows

c. 9/10/09, B. Riley