I head out to the garden
To stroll
To smell the spring-fresh soil
To see the tiny flowers
Walk on the spring-green grass
And hear the songs of birds
I do not need my gloves
~
I do not plan to weed today
Just stroll
Gloves would mean I plan to weed
To plunge hands into soil
Move leaves away from flowers
Or pick up wayward pine cones
I do not bring my gloves
~~
I open the kitchen door
Having strolled
Wipe my shoes on the mat
Turn on the faucet
Wash dirt from my fingers
Brown water runs into the sink
I did not take my gloves
~~~
Husband strolls into the room
Stands still
“I bought you gloves,” he says
“Next you’ll complain about
Cracked skin on your hands”
“I did not plan to weed”
I say, embarrassed
“I would have taken my gloves.”
~~~~
Cynthia Reyes is the author of Twigs in my Hair – A Gardening Memoir. On sale now online through booksellers including Amazon and A Different Booklist
Cynthia Reyes 
What a fun poem on woulda, shoulda, coulda and didn’t. 🙂
Gloves just get in the way. 😉
Hahahaha, story of my life!
I love spring in the garden!
I like the feel of dirt on my hands and knees on the soil. I miss my garden and appreciate the reminders. Enjoy your garden for me Cynthia.
You are a true gardener, Cynthia! How many times can an avid gardener just take a stroll and not resist the urge to create order among the plants? 🙂
Hahaha- I can just imagine the scene. Gardening, weeds, rites of spring, loving couple and gloves that have no connection to a pandemic. Happy writing for these times. Thank you.
I never wear gloves when I weed, that way I don’t forget them!
Good one! I can never believe how fast my hands dry out ‘if’ I forget my gloves. 🙂
I prefer no gloves unless I am dealing with rosebushes. Something comforting about the dirt.
It’s not possible to take a stroll in the garden and not fix things. Hands clean up!
No gardener can refrain from getting her fingers in the soil. Fun poem.
You made me laugh out loud, a lovely, gentle and funny poem!
Glad to make you laugh! I like my silly poems best.
Been there, done that …today, actually. I dream of smelling loam! Thanks, Hope you are well and enjoying spring at last.
Love love this poem!
Cute, Cynthia. You just couldn’t resist getting your hands in the dirt. 🙂 –Curt
A true gardener cannot walk by a weed.
It’s good to carry your gloves for a stroll through the garden, but your clippers even more so.
Spoken like a true gardener!
Oh, I loved this!
I totally get it. 🙂 ❤
I’m glad to hear that! Hope you’re doing well.
Gloves just get in the way! I only wear them if I know I am going to get stung or prickled and even then, I find I have taken them off without realising and left them somewhere. And of course, Hamlin is right. I have such sore, dry hands from all the hand-washing and from our clay soil which leaches moisture from my skin.
I hope you, Hamlin and your family are keeping well. xx
That’s it exactly, Clare! We’re doing well so far and giving thanks for having a garden to potter around in and being able to take a walk and enjoy the spring air and sounds.
Ha ha .. I’m so bad I seldom wear my gloves!