Grow & Gather

Nibreea Hightower
School of Education


Now, there are small shovels
In tiny, chubby hands that
Pat the soil in amazement.
The large hands cover over teeny fingers,
guide them as they dig.

A couple rows to plant some carrots
And a few holes to yield tomatoes.
Small voices rise, making loud sound as
the dirt is patted over.
Taking turns, the bed is watered
Patiently we wait to gather again.

Now, warm weather has appeared
and the bed is full of ripeness.
We’ve gathered again to see,
The green overflowing the soil
Small, shiny tomatoes plump on the vine,
And long green hairs that peek over the bed.

The little hands pull at hairs in the soil,
Filling baskets full of sweet
that lay on the ground.
The large hands rest at the bed
Watching for if they’re needed.
While fingers grasp cherry tomatoes
Adding them to the collection.

Now the bed is empty.
baskets full of red and orange,
Are held in small hands,
And carried away
As all that is growing has gathered.