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| - kids, i thought it, about time
to tell, a little, nursery rhyme
not about, that candle maker
nor the butcher, but 'bout Baker
Nursery, down on, fortieth street
the lucky ones, that got to meet
founder, master, gardener Jim
just passed, now daughters, run for him
no differently, than '68
flower power, watergate
war and peace, Jim bought the land
where, to this day, his nursery stands
worked it with, his wife, six daughters
declined, fat, developer offers
chose to peddle, plants, instead
to fill, arcadia, flower beds
and veggie gardens, his seeds we've sewn
sold trees, who's roots, have caught and grown
now shading, front lawns, 'cross this town
the monsoon blows, a branch comes down
but still, the trees, are standing strong
like Baker did, four decades, long
we've bought from Baker, twenty years
and watched, the 'old way', disappear
in a town, where progress rules
scrape, then stucco, buyers drooled
at grabbing, their piece, of the dream
but Jim stood pat, while builders steamed
and coveted, ten acres, prime
nope, not selling, keep your dimes
and dollars, still, Baker remains
Baker's, green acres, looks the same
helpful staff, laid back pace
part of the charm, neighborhood place
phoenix oasis, sittin' tight
so go buy local, you just might
discover that, your thumb is green
"plant your roses", remind to "feed
citrus now", drawn on, frost cloth
the old sign weathers, paint peels off
still planted, firmly, in the ground
Target, Home Depot, circle 'round
'garden departments", therein's, the rub
they wouldn't know, a ladybug
from an earth room, Jim Baker did
gave rocks and flowers, to my kids
and taught them both, a thing or two
bout insects, plants and taught me, to
"do what you love" , his legacy
godspeed, thanks for, your nursery
Jim Baker passed Aug 31, 2009. He was 86.
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