For years I grew many tomatoes
The effort and flavor made my heart glow

But then raccoons and rats developed a taste
To my hardworking garden, they began laying waste

Seeing a rat gnaw one tomato in a cluster
Doesn't leave you wanting to eat the others

So this year I decided to try kale
Big, tender leaves, tangy and hale

So much better than kale from the store
Hey, I should have tried this years before!

Once again my heart felt happy and bright
Until little fence lizards began taking bites

Yet the lizards are cute, they leave some for us
Unlike the rats, I feel no disgust

Although I wish they would cease
I don't begrudge them their feast!

One of the perps