The Volunteer Cantaloupe Plant

In my backyard garden

a seedling appears.

I knew it was from the gourd family,

but didn’t know the exact species.

So, I let it grow.

It developed yellow flowers,

bees hovered around

to pollinate.

It led to a small spherical fruit .

fuzzy green at first,

but as it matured,

it showed a reticulated pattern.

That’s when I realized —

it was a cantaloupe!

I must have tossed a seed

from a store-bought one.

These gourd fruits are

great volunteer plants.

I harvested the fruit when ripe

Cut the fruit into slices.

It was small, not very orange,

but still very sweet and delicious.

I ate a cantaloupe —

from my own backyard —

which I didn’t even plant.

It was a pure reward.