My Mother's Garden

my mother vowed her life to a Garden

that sprouted into hugs for her to hold

I didn't think much of it

as long as my mother was happy

it wasn’t plentiful or prestigious

it smelled weird after it was watered

but my mother proceeded to tend it

and continued to let it grow

she overspent money to let it flourish

when the Garden drowned she’d blame herself

as I grew older I thought it was a waste

life would be better if we didn't have that Garden

her concern grew larger and tended she did

her focus no longer turned to anything else

but i couldn't say anything

because it would only make her feel worse

one day she stepped out of the house

the Garden had wilted and drooped down

i waited until she returned

her tears raced down the browned leaves

she blames herself for the Garden

as the dried leaves compost into grass

i wish i could give her the same company

that the Garden had

i wish i knew how much that Garden meant to her

i wish that Garden meant something to me