Nature's Grip

Joe started as a garden boy

weeding the beds and all.

To leave so often he would try

but heeded natures call.

For nature had a hold on Joe

she held him in her grip,

And gave him fork, rake, spade and hoe

to teach him craftmanship.

His fingers green in hallowed ground

where food for all would grow,

In Spring each year there would be found

the seeds that he would sow.

He dreamed of places far away

of trains and boats and planes

He yearned for sun on a cloudy day

but all he got was pains.

Into mid age he carried on

head of the place he knew

He married a maid they had a son

but now he had gone too.

Into the world that Joe had yearned

to travel in his teens,

But over the years he had learned

how life would intervene.

Joe started as a garden boy

weeding the beds and all

But now the light's gone from his eye

and Joe must heed death's call.