I Had A Garden, Once

I remember the year they died
and I although I wasn't surprised,
I wasn't any less upset
by their passing.

My once lush tomatoes,
wilting in grief
over the
sundried spinach.
The eggplant
shriveled.

I've never been much good
at feeding the things
that couldn't tell me
they were hungry.

Or maintaining the things
that are kept
out of sight.