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My Father Gardening in Heaven
- Wayne State University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
97 My Father Gardening in Heaven Theflowersarenotallerhere. Thecosmoscarrytheirsaucers ofburgundyandwhite,thefuchsias dangletheirpuckeredblossoms nofartherdownthantheydoonearth. Everyfloweraddsitspromiscuity ofscent,itsaudacityofcolor totheunencumberedhuesofheaven. Myfatherimaginessnow-on-the-mountain spreadingacrosstheclouds,succulents thrivinginthefiercesunlight,bleeding heartdroopingintheperfectair.Here therearenoslugspeelingtheleaves, noaphidsravenousinaflower’sveins. Thedaysarebereftofdrought, thenightssolicitnounwelcomefrost. Butmyfather,sleepingundertheappleblossoms, dreamsofspidermites,leafhoppers, andlacebugscuttingacrosshiseveryplant. Hewakesupshakingandreachingforaspray. Adamturnsfromhishoeing,smiles.Eve wavesoutthewindow.Myfathernods, standsup,takeshisrakeandpullsitgently overthestraightandnarrowfurrows he’sloosenedinthesoft,sweetloam. ...