“I must be getting old”
said the hen to the rooster.

“No, your not old yet”
said the rooster to the hen.

“But I’m falling apart”
said the hen to the rooster.

“I hadn’t noticed”
said the rooster to the hen;

“You’re still the same hen
been pecking on me

and picking on me too
while I sit here next to you.”

“You’re wing looks decrepit”
said the hen to the rooster.

“I think you’re getting old too.”

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
Mint and Variegated Basil too.
Even when it Rains and Summer’s
surely gone there’s Plenty to Do.
Cut back the blooms to make
Strong Medicine and Eggs with Herbs
Feeds a Happy Family and
Leaves the Doctor undisturbed.

I keep watching
and waiting
while the weather
sometimes weeps
and sometimes wails
like the children
who come and go
while I’m watching
and waiting
and wondering too
what would happen
if I went
“whoo-hoo.”

When the weather is warm
the work of weeks
won’t matter without water.
What was wonderful would
go to waste without a whisper.