April 20, 2014

When we moved into the townhouse
We exulted in our garden
 The earth called out to us
 And we replied

We planted dwarf fruit trees in one corner
 And called it our orchard
 And in the center we planted a crabapple
 Whose purple blooms filled our spring

And later at our house on the hill
 Barren from years of neglect
We brought home in the trunk of our car
Cherry, plum, and apple trees,
Maple, magnolia, willow oak,
Pear and crabapple

We took turns wielding the spade,
Tamping down the earth, watering,
And then we waited

Thirty-seven years later
 The fruit trees have withered and died
But the crabapple by the well
 Stretches out its dark arms with purple blossoms

And the pear tree exults above the little house

And the maple
And the willow oaks
Unfold their tender leaves
 Lift up their arms to the sky
Singing Hallelujah

And in the chorus
I hear your voice

Hallelujah!