Visit Of The Gnomes

the gnomes were here again last night
they do no damage and are said to be
friendly and strong
 
i know they were here because there were footprints in the sand
the neighbor says it was a rat or small rabbit
but i know better
 
they visit every spring after the last frost
i think they like to walk barefoot on the tiny green seedlings
because it tickles their toes
 
they never show themselves but sometimes
just after sunset i hear their laughter
as they head home from work
 
it is said that they walk through rock and stone
as easily as we walk through the air
stewards of the underground
 
i think they visit because
i don’t add chemicals
to my garden
 
the smell of good quality compost
rotting hay mature manure
pleases their tiny nostrils
 
i don’t know why they visit
but i’m glad they do
then i don’t feel so alone
 
someday they may trust me enough to let me see them
with their tall hats and red shoes
maybe take me underground to meet their kids
 
we could talk about plants and nature
and share a bowl of steamy hot soup
and a loaf of bread
 
when i dig i’m careful  
not to go too deep
so i don’t disturb their homes
 
i plant a variety of vegetables
because i don’t know their tastes
when i meet them i’ll ask
 
i like to hum while i’m in the garden
i know my singing voice is kind of scratchy and might scare them
but they might like me humming a nice happy tune  
 
sometimes when if find an interesting rock
or a pretty stone i save it because
it’s probably a gift from the gnomes
 
i leave them outside where they can find them
in case they want them back
there’s never a card with their gifts so i’m not sure
 
some people think i’m crazy for believing in earth elementals
and that’s OK because i think life is more interesting
with a little uncertainty
 
© 2020