I have looked at you across our fence
Our friendship gate is what joins us now,
You tilling in your garden
Me looking at my weeds,
Wishing I could get down and rip them out.
You in your garden rich in produce
Proudly displaying the recent success
Asparagus it was, like never before.
I found a flower on my wild geranium
Showing it off, smile on my face.
I am unique among gardeners
My pedigree weeds flourish
On the neglect I afford them,
While you dear friend, with riches aplenty
Now face an even greater challenge
As nature takes its toll on you.
You say to me “I think I’m fucked.’
I say, ‘Not yet, the sun is shining,
Let’s go out and dig some more.’
My neighbour Tim has recently been told he has Parkinson’s Disease. It is a terrible blow for him and me, as I love him as my neighbour, and as a fellow human being. He is a strong man’s man and has a huge battle ahead of him just coming to terms with what this disease will mean to him.
Morpethroad 
nice… i like the metaphor this carries as well… no matter how different we are, there’s room for comfort and friendship… honestly… my garden is more a weed garden as well…but they look really beautiful…smiles
The beauty of the weed can only be appreciated by those of us who cultivate bigger and better ones each seaon. Thank you Claudia.
“I am unique among gardeners / My pedigree weeds flourish” – lovely! You have painted two very different perspectives on gardening. My own gardening abilities are not the greatest.
Thank you Gabriella, sadly it is all too true, and my neighbour Tim has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
I am sorry about your neighbor Michael!
Thanks Gabriella.
It’s kind of funny that gardening can turn competiive … glad you don’t… our garden is actually a wood.. that we tend as well as we can… the gardinging is limited to potted plants on the balcony.. but last summer we had wonderful sweet tomatoes…
Thanks Bjorn, I live in probably a better climate for growing crops than you I imagine but my neighbour grows much better crops than me.
Ah, you are my kind of gardener… I used to feel very judged for my inferior skills in England, but it’s a little less obvious now. Amusing and yet quite deep…
Thanks Marina, my garden is actually very fertile and I love digging in it but my health prohibits a lot of action there now days. But I live in hope.
Ha! Having lived some of my life in a village, I know of this type of competitive gardening! It’s better to bury the hatchet and collaborate, or at least recognise each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Thanks Freya, I am well aware of my limitations and his expertise. Every so often he comes throught the gate and fertilizes my lemon tree. I am lucky we get along so well.
I have never been the greatest of gardeners either, but on occasion I have enjoyed trying to GROW something. Never have been competitive with anyone though. If so, I probably would have lost. I AM sorry about your friend’s diagnosis. A hard one which will take its toll on his gardening eventually.
Thank you Mary, I fear it will take more out of him than he is prepared to give up, I imagine he is in for a rough time for a little while. Though I should point out I am only competitive with him in relation to the quality of the weeds I grow compared to his…lol
You must be like me, I claim to have a black thumb. You illustrate a friendship that goes beyond the picture of rival gardeners; it is very heartwarming to see how you rally around him in his time of need.
Thank you so much for your comment, he is going to need support it is the least I can do. Your black thumb is something that can be rectified. Thanks again.
its not over until we say it is over…and in our relationships we add strength to each other as well…this is the way neighbors should be…and were when i was growing up…and now, well…it takes a bit more work….
Thank you so much brian, I appreciate that coment.
From the heart to your friend – the gardening – a connection- the words heartfelt. Those for whom roses bloom ~ are often the ones pierced by thorns. Keep your friendship gate open to Tim and my thoughts are with him and his family. A lovely write mate.
and let me add – I think you handled the prompt superbly 🙂
You are too kind, thank you.
credit where credit due my friend 🙂
Thanks Jenny. A tough time ahead
Understood 😦
I’m a champion weed grower too. I’ve suffered the humiliation of neighbors leaving care packages of tomatoes next to my garden. I love being in the garden so I keep trying. Maybe as you help your friend face the hard road ahead you can both find some comfort in that hobby you love.
Thank you Nara,, I hope we spend a lot of time in the garden
The sun is still shining. That’s a great reminder. I hope the best for him, and for you.
Thank you so much for that lovely comment.
A master of weeds!
Sounds like I have competition 😉
Sad about your neighbor & friend. This can’t be easy to take in. Hope he will be able to cope ok.
Well I hope so too. Fingers crossed.
I love the neighbor on the other side of the fence – what a tender poem, the metaphor so universal and the “caring” palpable. The reader senses the closeness as the poem unwinds. Sending healing wishes to your friend, there are bound to be new hope for this disease on the horizon because so many are invested in finding a cure.
Thank you Gay your comment is very encouraging.
cultivating weeds and love
friends garden their friendship thus
sweet encouragement
Thank you Georgia, a haiku response, lovely.
🙂
Wonderfully warm and real verse – I wish you friend the very best! : 🙂
Thanks Helen, we are all hoping for the best.
I’m sorry to hear of the sad news Michael.
Prayers for you both. Although this will be a challenging time, there will also be good times and I’ve no doubt an awesome time of growth as well.
ML
Thanks Miss Lou, I appreciate your prayers and your lovely comment.
That is a tough diagnosis, I wish both you and your neighbor the best (hugs)
Thanks Yves, and thanks for your best wishes. (hugs back)
….I once was a weed in a an elementary school musical and I had to be mean and dance in a menacing way….I wore all green and had green leotards…weeds are part of life…I like your answer to the prompt and wish you and your friend well.
Thanks, it must have been a great day the day went home from school and announced you had been cast as the weed. Thanks so much for your support.
My garden is wild, very little cultivated and I am happy with it, nature at its best. Do so feel for your neighbour in his coming battle and am certain you shall offer him great strength.
Anna :o]
Thanks Anna, I do appreciate your comment, and a wild garden is a cool place as well.