These Are My JOTtings...

Swap Quatrain: "Below the Ground"

For what doth lie below the ground?
The tap root that I fin'lly found.
The stump can no more mystify,
below the ground. For what doth lie?

Below the ground a little worm,
who aerates soil in playful squirm.
This gift to plants I'm glad I've found,
a little worm below the ground.

Some shallow roots in ground below
bespeak the Bradford Pear, I know.
For one day weight or wind it boots
in ground below some shallow roots.

The health of rose in hidden sod
brings joy to heart. I oft applaud.
To prune the spent ones as it grows
in hidden sod the health of rose.

Remove the old below the ground
and bring the new for sight and sound.
Outside to decorate we're told,
"Below the ground remove the old."

The freshest drink we've wondrous found
comes deep, way down, below the ground.
What precious water aught could think!
We've wondrous found the freshest drink!

Our dearest "homes" we lay below.
Remember them, when they must go.
We'll follow, when we're done with roams.
We lay below our dearest "homes."

by Jay O'Toole
on October 6th, 2017