Birthday Georgic (on approaching my 60th year)

Now a younger poet

May very well read

Virgil or Thoreau and

Conclude that is all they

Need to know about

Furrowing the earth

But for me 

It took nearly 60 years 

To finally realize there

Is no finer posture 

Than to find oneself

Supine and supplicant

In the garden

Preferably with gloves

And a spade in order

To spare the manicure

When applying the manure
And obtain better return

And also with a notebook

Nearby so as to make

A more complete record

Of such perennial bounty 

And reward

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