I See You in Him

It all began with
a tiny seed, fresh dirt in her hands,
the warm sun on her back and a sun hat on her head,
while watching her gently turn the soil.
She tells him about the birds and their songs,
observe them quietly as they flitter around
and carefully build nests:
the goldfinch with its bright yellow, the robin and its red-breast.
There's a stellar jay see his tall crest,
witness one of the smallest--the hummingbird:
so many colors, sizes, and shapes.
Slow down and take the time to see the flowers:
roses, tulips, daffodils, trillium, the sunflower, dahlias, pansies;
smell their enchanting aromas.
Notice the trees that provide us shade,
look closely at each leaf and see the different
sizes, shapes and colors:
alder, birch, chestnut, dogwood, filbert,
maple, walnut, and willow.
The once small boy has learned from her,
from her kind and gentle words,
she has lead by example.
Now she is gone and her legacy is in you;
it all began with
a tiny seed, fresh dirt in his hands,
the warm sun on his back and a hat on his head;
I see you in him.