The Bruised, but Not Defeated Gardener

Ravaged by rabbits
Violated by voles,
Attacked by aphids
I calculated the plants death toll.
Fungus and mold,
Joined in the fun,
Then too much rain,
Followed by too much sun.
But soon I will venture
Out to till the soil,
With visions of a bountiful yield
To match my investment and toil.
I ignore the paw prints
The tunnels beneath the snow,
The gnawed raspberries canes
Alas, will they ever grow!
April's snow is melting
There is promise in the warming sun,
I imagine my garden growing
While contemplating pesticides and a pellet gun.

Maura Goessling April 2009