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The Gardens These haunting, though now faded sounds of your footsteps, Which have echoed along my stone walks and narrow paths, Strangely, suddenly, become clearer and ever strong now, As you softly, slowly, enter once again, into my presence. Oh, my faithful friend, for you, I�ve saved my very best; The soft and vivid colors and pleasing sweet aromas, Yes, all that summer�s sun and rain, The food of the fertile earth And the gardener�s skillful hands Have created in me. You caringly pause to remove your sandals Before gently stepping onto my tender grass. While passing through my winding, rose filled beds, Your mind fills with the alluring, Almost hypnotic fragrance With every breath you take. As you playfully twirl among my many tall, Whitewashed stone columns, I sense in you an amazing joy and surrender To this, to me, for which you have returned; A moment from a time now passed, The place you have so very longed to be. Retreating from the warm soaking rays of the mid-summer sun, You find refreshing cool shade Beneath the wide lush branches of my pines, Taking your rest, as you have so often before, Upon the long wooden bench Which overlooks my beautiful lower gardens. With eyes closed, you listen to the unending duet Of the crickets and cicadas, The soft breeze through the pine needles, The splashing of the fountain from a nearby pond, A gardener�s busy trimmers, And children�s joyful giggles from the playground. Eyes open wide now and with Awestruck wonder upon your face, You observe the numerous dancing butterflies, The busy flights of the dutiful honey bees And aerial maneuvers of dragonflies As they glide above the surface of my reflection pools. You arise and make slow your descent Into the wonders of my gardens below. Feeling as if the flowers have risen up to greet you, Their heads of vivid hues, dressed in shades of green, Brings a look of wonder upon your face, As you behold all that now surrounds you. Stepping along the old brick walk Which surrounds my long shallow pools, You search out beyond the waters edge. Awaiting there is your own reflection, Amid the deep blue of the cloudless summer sky And cascading white blossoms From stone planters along the pool�s edge. At walk�s end, you kneel down to touch the water Within my lily pool and fix your eyes upon the many colorful fish. Fragile blossoms appear to float upon the water�s surface Reaching out to capture your every thought. With a deep, satisfying breath, you rise, Then ascend the steps near my great stone wall. After a cool, refreshing sip from the fountain, You pause to capture one last image of all you see, Then close your eyes as if to test your memory. Sighing, as if you had just received a loving, warm embrace, You bless me with your loving smile, turn, Then step back into your busy world, once again. Douglas Fletcher 8/27/02 |
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