Yesterday, Montgomery the Snowman found himself sitting on a truckload of plants. It had been a cool summer, but even in Minnesota it wasn't really cool enough for a snowman. Nevertheless, Montgomery made the most of it. He smiled for the camera, managed to avoid a fight with Flag, the resident spaniel, and shook his little belly like the proverbial bowl full of jelly. He noted that his favorite flower is the daisy shining like a star over his head. The sunburned hostas, not so much--but singlehandedly, he gave a much needed chill to the heat-stressed traveling plants. By the time they found their way to my daughter's garden an hour later, they were much revived. Montgomery says that if you can't find a snowman for your garden, you'll have to settle for chilling down any plants you move with a shower of cool water. He recommends a snowman, however, because after yesterday he decided that summer isn't as bad as everyone told him it would be.

Montgomery in the Garden

A snowman sat
(most snowmen can't...)
in the back of a truck,
a man of leisure among transplants.

All dressed in camo he did go:
in leaflike green
and purest white
to romp in daisies all unseen.

He offered chill
that hot, hot day--
the roses danced--
impatiens shrunk away.

His happy smile
did not once wane.
Who said summer
is the snowman's bane?