When lilacs first in dooryard bloomed
I thought of Mother long entombed
How pleased this year she’s be to see
Lush purple in their full beauty
Forty or more flowers bursting with bloom
Perfuming the air by day or moon

When lilacs first in dooryard bloomed
I thought of the small spring Ma had brought
She planted it with a smile in a sunny spot
To my concern over the future growth
In a land of rocks and so deep with sand
She said, “ Don’t worry-some sun, loam, water,
and God’s helping hand.”
In the world of plants and gardens she never said “can’t.”
She was right,
Now after sixteen years-
what a beautiful plant.

March 1980