What the lemon tree taught me

In the spring,
when southern humid air
sticks to the window and skin.
her garden,
when eyes wide follow the flight of honey bees.
No need for sickle,
Patient grandmother shakes
And the branches don’t know the difference
Between her arms and heavy winds

A factory line of lemons
and it was in my best interest
to warn little brother
Don’t let them fall, don’t let them bruise

Grandmother’s calm nature
Do not be afraid of the soil
you were created from clay

I close my eyes
to file this lesson away-
to teach my own child one day, that-
Fingers may twitch,
Feed them into the earth,
Return to your Creator.

Even in the roughest of times,
bounty.

– Alhamdulillah

By Rima Alsayed