Shears

 
 
 

unexpected rain—
 
the Mexican gardener
 
pockets his rose shears

Pruning

 
 
 

unexpected rain—
 
the Mexican gardener
 
keeps pruning roses

Gardener

 
 
 

In a fine drizzle
 
the Mexican gardener
 
prunes the white roses.

Thorns

 
 
 

April afternoon—
 
the Mexican gardener
 
pulls thorns from his thumb.

Hose

 
 
 

April afternoon—
 
the Mexican gardener
 
drinks from the green hose.

Smoke

 
 
 

April afternoon—
 
the Mexican gardener
 
rolls another smoke.

Cigarette

 
 
 

Midwinter morning—
 
the Mexican gardener
 
lights a cigarette.

Chore

 
 
 

First chore of the year—
 
the Mexican gardener
 
readjusts his hat.

Picking

 
 
 

still picking apples
 
after the sun has gone down—
 
Mexican migrant