June 21, 2010

Tom Stebbins wrote to Lynn about his address to the Master Gardeners at the dedication of the Teaching Garden.   He said that he knew that Gene would have written a poem for the occasion and he felt like Gene was presenting him with a challenge to write a poem.  Below is the poem that Tom wrote in response to that challenge. 

A Garden is a Place…    

 by Tom Stebbins 

A garden is a place to grow

the food for those in need

We plow, plant, rake and hoe

so all our friends can feed

A garden is a place to teach

the lessons of the land

Master Gardeners give a speech

or teach or lend a hand

A garden is a place for birth

where seeds pop through the soil

We harvest from the holy earth

with all our sweat and toil

A garden is a place for peace

to watch the busy bees

The garden chores will never cease

its time to pick the peas

A garden is a place for fun

to grow some giant roots

Children laugh and play and run

and try new plants and fruits

A garden is a place for plants

to grow toward the sun

We also see some tiny ants

but they will hurt no one

A garden is a place to seed

corn, lettuce and tomato

The Master Gardeners take a creed

to give, to plant, to show

Dedicated to all the Hamilton County Master Gardeners at the Grand Opening of the Evelyn Davenport Navarre Food Bank Teaching Garden.— June 18, 2010