Letter To My Backyard

Dear Backyard,

Happy 28th Birthday!

Thank you for all you hold,

the bur oak,

towering over half your green lawn,

squirrels at feeders,

birds perching and waiting their turn.

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I see before me

the rail fence my husband built,

now covered in a vine of purple morning glories,

piles of limestone rocks awaiting a project,

a hummingbird visiting the blooming red Turk’s cap,

and little green lizards in a mating embrace.

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Thank you for all I see in my mind’s eye:

a swing set and a sandbox,

a sweating teenage son digging the hole,

where the pecan tree will go,

another, younger son pulling baby sister through the grass in a red flyer wagon,

past the cactus garden, and around again.

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Grandma, blindfolded, swinging a bat at a star shaped birthday pinata,

the laughter of friends chugging beers and

dodging smoke from the grill,

while lights fly from 4th of July sparklers

in the hands of kids, arms stretched to the limit.

And generations of dogs running in the grass.

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Thank you for giving me retreat

under January’s cold stars,

long ago,

after a spousal tiff,

with only you and the cat on my lap as a witness,

as I dried my tears and cooled down.

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You are our creation,

full of colorful plantings, love, memories.

And we are your creation.

Thank you for all you hold and

thank you for giving us space to grow.

With Gratitude, Betty

(photos by B. McCreary)