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Her fingertips bleed as she feeds the earth, but she continues working. The dusty ground surrenders to her shovel, to her hands, to be mixed together with rich compost.

No, she wears no gloves. It’s a small plot of land, but it’s hers, and she came to bring life, not to hide from the process. She will feel it all against her skin.

A worm peeks aboveground, his body still halfway buried. She laughs, speaking gently before scooping his section and flipping it over.

“Go home, little thing, there will be new roots for you soon.”

She thinks of him months later, when the young tomato plants show their fruit for the first time. They’ve already dropped a few leaves, a feast for what lives below.

She pokes the oldest one deeper into the dirt and adds a few drops of water to send it on its way.

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Inspired by the 5 Minute Freewrite Prompt - Gardening provided by the lovely @mariannewest!

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