We turn the earth, add fertilizer
rake the surface smooth, dig holes for small plants.
The first week everything was fine  -  the lettuce grew so fast
we could almost see it happening. 

We've got cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi and
tomatoes planted from seed. I cut up a potato
that sprouted in the kitchen and dig it in the corner -
I'll make potato salad like my mother did.

This morning we couldn't believe it –
the lettuce was shorn to stumps: 
broccoli and kohlrabi
were chewed up also.

My husband said with authority: 
"rock rabbits were here.
I'll dig stakes, place wire netting around," he decides. 
I can see it'll work.

If I still lived in Canada
I wouldn't be thinking about
anything else except my husband's energy
but here things are different.

Down the block there's the security fence
to keep away terrorists - that's what I think of
as I climb over our barricade
to weed the garden. 

No sign of rabbits now – 
perhaps they were here
and left empty handed
perhaps they don't need my garden any more.

Our lettuce has completely recovered
but I've lost my enthusiasm
I'm not so excited about each new sign of growth -
the fence has taken the fun out of it.