Poetry Friday

A little May Sarton for Poetry Friday, Spring, and Mother's Day...

An Observation
by May Sarton (1912-1995)

True gardeners cannot bear a glove
Between the sure touch and the tender root,
Must let their hands grow knotted as they move
With a rough sensitivity about
Under the earth, between the rock and shoot,
Never to bruise or wound the hidden fruit.
And so I watched my mother’s hands grow scarred,
She who could heal the wounded plant or friend
With the same vulnerable yet rigorous love;
I minded once to see her beauty gnarled,
But now her truth is given me to live,
As I learn for myself we must be hard
To move among the tender with an open hand,
And to stay sensitive up to the end
Pay with some toughness for a gentle world.

from A Private Mythology, 1966

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Check later today with Liz B at A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy and Kelly at Big A little a for a round-up of the day's poetry offerings.