Pop's Garden Gloves, Tomatoes Still Grow

Lyrics

Pops retired in spring, said he'd rest a while
Now he's in the backyard working with a smile
Garden gloves worn through at the thumb and the seam
Tomato cages leaning like a half-remembered dream
Used to leave at five when the sky was still gray
Now he checks the vines at the start of the day
I watch him from the window, coffee going cold
Seeing how the quiet makes a young man out of old

Tomatoes still grow, tomatoes still grow
Slow hands, slow rain, let the good days show
Retired from the clock but not from the ground
Pops plants his peace and I hear the sound
Tomatoes still grow, tomatoes still grow
Slow hands, slow rain, let the good days show

I asked him if he misses it, the whistle and the line
He said, son, I miss the people, not the grind
Then he handed me a tomato, red and warm from the sun
Said that's what the work was for, to get to this one
We sat on upside-down buckets, salt shaker in his pocket
Ate it like an apple, no need to lock it
Neighbors leaning on the fence to trade a bag or two
Retirement looks like sharing what you grew

Tomatoes still grow, tomatoes still grow
Slow hands, slow rain, let the good days show
Retired from the clock but not from the ground
Pops plants his peace and I hear the sound
Tomatoes still grow, tomatoes still grow
Slow hands, slow rain, let the good days show

I'm still on the grind, still chasing that shine
But I'm learning from his rows how to take my time
Water what you love and let the weeds go by
Look up when it's golden, let the evening fly
When I'm his age, I hope somebody's near
To eat a warm tomato, say the work was clear

Dirt under the nails, sun on the neck
Nothing left to prove, nothing left to check
Plant it, tend it, let it be
Pops, you taught me patience, thank you for me

Tomatoes still grow, tomatoes still grow
Slow hands, slow rain, let the good days show
Retired from the clock but not from the ground
Pops plants his peace and I hear the sound
Tomatoes still grow, tomatoes still grow
Slow hands, slow rain, let the good days show

Tomatoes still grow
Let the good days show