Nursed along with siblings
Tended to day and night
In The makeshift greenhouse
To reach their 4 inch height. 

Moved to a larger pot
Outside when threat of frost has gone
Spritzed and sprayed and admired
All summer long. 

Shown to friends and family
As the smallest green orbs appear
They’ve grown into the most beautiful
Specimens this year. 

Red semigloss is their color
The size of a tennis ball
Multitudes to share with friends
And can and freeze this fall. 

The day has come to harvest 
We all are filled with glee
Only to find that the local deer
Have had their fill before me.