Garden Strolls
They started in the last two and a half years
Of my estrangement and disengagement from Janie —
My strolls through the Missouri Botanical Garden.
They've become more frequent than I'd have imagined,
Averaging every other Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Something about those contemplative walks
Provides my enervated spirit with curative powers,
Locates my solitude, there,
Anoints me, with happiness, peace, solemnity, hope,
As I walk those labyrinthine, flower-dappled paths,
And suffuses my lonely soul, with natural sympathy,
Lets me know, in my aloneness, that I'm not alone,
When I'm in the garden's embrace.
Today, I spoke with the crape myrtles, rose of Sharons,
The Victoria water lilies, caladiums, Russian sage,
And I carried on a measured, intimate conversation
With the pin oaks, Japanese maples, maidenhair trees.
All of them seemed to be in agreement
That I'm healing nicely, achieving contentedness.
They asked me if I'd consider never leaving.
08/30/09 - (2)
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