My great grandfather was a farmer.

My very German grandmother and grandfather,

were gardeners and canners.

Many cells of my body –

were formed eating food from their garden,

their cherry tree,

and their canned food.

My parents were gardeners.

Many cells of my body,

were formed from sweet corn,

grown in their yard.

Epi-genetics.

inheritance.

While I may know no German words.

I know what a German garden looks like.

Inheritance works in so many twisted ways.

Are planting tomatoes a dominant or recessive trait?

What about canning produce grown in the sun,

that falls on you while you work in a garden?

Of my siblings those who own land,

garden.

The few that don’t grow other things.

My sister grows planets in cyberspace.

My brother grows plants in window boxes.

My other sister grows pets.

The rest grow a variety of plants

Will those traits continue?

Will my grandchildren someday say,

its canning time,

excuse me while I pick some of those ripe tomatoes?

© words by Daniel DeMarle 5/27/21