Claire Knight
Tomatoes ‘On the Vine’
When I eat fresh tomatoes, grown 'on the vine',
a smell pervades the nose, which is a certain sign
for memories to flood back
of my Grandfather Jack.
My Granpops so dear had low lumbago ache
and a cauliflower ear, which would often make
him crotchety and sour,
from a very early hour.
But a morning spent amongst rich loamy compost,
with two muddy hands, meant time was simply lost,
and though a little weary,
was very much more cheery.
From May until August, a weekly dose of feed
was an absolute must, to turn a tiny seed
into a tall healthy plant -
or so said my Aunt.
Between each neatened row of green fronded leaf
marigolds he'd sow - an olden belief
to keep the bugs at bay,
without the use of spray.
With tender loving care he would nurse every stem,
tie some here or there, maybe even talk to them,
pinching out the tips
with quick and nifty nips.
Without trouble or fuss, he'd nimbly work a hoe
around each hanging truss, and for strong stalks to grow
he'd stake them up with canes,
almost reaching to the panes.
When ripe and juicy red - the pride of his life -
he'd store them in the shed, and give some to his wife,
ah! now memories surface
of my Grandmother Alice.
But these days are gone, locked away in childhood mind,
and life must go on, but with the taste, I find,
of tomatoes 'on the vine',
fond memories are still mine.
Page(s) 34-35
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