It’s been raining at my house for a few days
preventing me from going out to play
and any work around the ponds
has to be done with a raincoat on
and even after the rain has stopped
everything has turned to slop
and being outside is just not fun
as the dripping trees continue to run
I’ve spent time indoors sitting around
not wasting it as I have found
that time on the website that I maintain
is put to good use as I make it the same
as I picture exactly what I want it to be
and then write the code so that others can see
the pictures and words of upcoming things
they can see for themselves my offerings
in an attempt to show them what is in store
including the fabulous Austin Pond Tour
with fifteen ponds spread over two days
all different kinds and so many ways
to make a back yard a beautiful thing
so that others can see and their praises will sing
not knowing the time and the effort it takes
to turn it into a beautiful place
the rain has stopped and I venture outside
to look at my ponds that Nature does hide
from view as I sit writing these words
with growth so thick that even the birds
have trouble in finding the seeds that I spread
as I welcome their presence and they’re not underfed
birds of all colors some big and some small
jostling to get to their share of it all
the yard I have is a beautiful place
everything so green filling a space
in between the ponds of which there are four
filled with Goldfish and Koi and plants galore
with pathways between leading around and around
until back at the start you can be found
ready to do it over again
to see what you missed as its never the same
to maintain the ponds is a lot of work
which in the past I did not shirk
but as I now am eighty three
the work is catching up with me
and I’m no longer sure for how long I can last
as I do not work like in the past
and things are much harder than before
as old age is knocking at my door
and with it the loss of strength that I had
especially when I was a much younger lad
and what I will need to do
is close down the ponds before I am through
and still have the strength to perform this task
just a few more years is all I ask
as I live out my remaining days
just me and the dogs very set in our ways.

Written 5/11/2019