Whiskey

Whiskey symbolizes craftsmanship, tradition, and social connection, though its meaning changes depending on cultural context. This symbolism relates to the tone of the rest of the poem, particularly in the final stanza.

Gardens

Gardens symbolize the cycle of life, death, and renewal. The speaker touches on all aspects of this cycle when she expresses regret upon uprooting the tomato plants. On the one hand, this fertile creation may still have time to produce fruit. But on the other hand, tomato season ends with the onset of autumn.

Tiny Pale Yellow Blossoms

The small yellow tomato blossoms symbolize hope and new life. As a precursor to fruit, the blossoms also signal the plant's reproductive stage (meaning that it is ready to produce fruit). The speaker notices these blossoms on the plants she uproots, yet she proceeds to pull up the plants.

Compost

Compost symbolizes transformation, renewal, and...