The "Welcome" sign
still hangs above
his garden gate

though koi no longer swim
in the emptied pond
and hummingbirds
do not return at spring
some say the bees
are disappearing too
but Mr. Ikeda's orchids
can still fill a greenhouse
:
White with its bold yellow throat
The palest pink with violet veins
Jungle green freckled with
ginger and maroon
What could be better than choosing
the most gorgeous
Or be lost in so much
luxurious profusion
:
In Japanese legend, life's bounty
for a man with big ears
Surely, Mr. Ikeda has
the biggest ears seen
for miles around
:
When the garden was in full bloom
all six of his children
were by his side
When his eldest son died two winters ago
so many children and orchids
blossoming still
:
His daughter says Mr. Ikeda's sons had the best deal
they went to the fancy houses
and gardened with him all morning
they ate special lunches
packed by their mother
were given a whole dollar
and even got to swim
in the rich people's pools
while she and her two sisters
cleaned and cooked
and wished they were boys
:
He has trouble walking now
makes sure he's given each type
of orchid to all five remaining children
No words for his gardening secrets
just hope—for keeping
everything he's grown alive