Plant a Garden

If your purse no longer bulges

and you've lost your golden treasure,

If at times you think you're lonely

and have hungry grown for pleasure,

don't sit by your hearth and grumble,

Don't let mind and spirit harden.

If it's thrills of joy you wish for,

get to work and plant a garden!

If it's drama that you sigh for,

plant a garden and you'll get it.

You will know the thrill of battle

fighting foes that will beset it.

If you long for entertainment and

for pageantry most glowing,

Plant a garden, and this summer spend

your time with green things growing.

If it's comradeship you sigh for,

learn the fellowship of daisies.

You will come to know your neighbour

by the blossoms that he raises;

If you'd get away from boredom

and find new delights to look for,

Learn the joy of budding pansies

 which you've kept a special nook for.

If you ever think of dying

and fear to wake tomorrow,

Plant a garden! It will cure you

of your melancholy sorrow.

Once you've learned to know peonies,

petunias, and roses

You will find that every morning

some new happiness discloses.

Edgar A. Guest

Edgar A guest began his illustrious career in 1895 at the age of fourteen when his work first appeared in the Detroit Free Press. His column was syndicated in over 300 newspapers, and he became know as "The poet of the People"