Returning To The Garden (Of Verses) (Poetry)

For R.L.S.

I was a child when first I went
into that garden where I spent
my lonely hours there among
the flowering verse and budding song

I lost myself in all those things
that coloured my imaginings
a friendly spirit lingered near
who leaned and whispered in my ear

He took my hand — he stole my heart
so when the time came to depart
I left my childhood there as some
small token of the dreams to come ...

But life was barren — dry as bone
no patch of green to call my own
the promise faded — Fate decreed
sad leaves soon wither — fail to seed

I’m older now, my skies are grey
I relive every garden day
his voice an echo haunting me
blood turns to sap — my soul’s a tree