Gardener's Exchange

Half of all is not for me

In spring I grow

Spinach, beets, carrots

Radishes and lettuces

My soil grows

spring vegetables best.

Half is for the neighbors

Delivered in a bag

Half of all my neighbor’s is not for him

In summer he grows

Squash, cucumbers, bell peppers,

Tomatoes and corn.

Glorious, beautiful and blessed

He delivers some to me

At summer’s Harvest my other neighbor knows it’s not all for him

All summer he grows

Roma tomatoes, jalapenos, green onion,

Cilantro, garlic and red onion.

My other neighbor combines these and other secret ingredients

To make triple XXX hot tomato salsa

It is my favorite

It burns like an out-of-control fire in my stomach

Delivered in canning jars marked XXX in black permanent marker