midnight in the garden of eden

Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John 12:24

It’s midnight in the Garden of Eden
daylight saving time
and God is on His tractor seeding the fields
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die
He knows, it cannot become Himself
Like any farmer
God is putting more than a little
of His soul into the soil
into everything He plants
Adam watches in wonder
his invisible God at this distance
the blue white lamp lit dust cloud
evidence of a working God
that and a subtle sob in the earth
the cry of wheat being spanked to life
He thinks of taking a gift to God
slouched over the tractor wheel
a basket of sandwiches, a head of cheese
flagon of wine
but his hands are the empty hands of a bride

When God leans into the kitchen
hungry hours from now exhausted
He’ll bake his own bread, slice ripe tomatoes
churn butter for both of them
For as long as Adam remembers
God is the One who does everything.

Copyright © 1997 by Nathan Harms (Midnight in the Garden © 2000. Used with permission)

********

Nathan Harms writes from his home in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He is founder of Utmost Christian Writers and is a member of its Board of Directors. He deserves the title, patron of (Canadian and other) Christian poets. We love you Nathan!