A LESSON IN BOTANY by Joseph Farrugia
In full bloom my Garden has stayed stagnant For years Roses bright red, with an Occasional stabbing thorn. Beautiful nonetheless, Sunflowers Standing tall, sheltering among My black-eyed susans, whom are Unwavering A harsh winter is coming, And all of what will be left is seeds Of plants I’ve nurtured for years Who don’t know they’ve nurtured me Just the same A harsh winter is coming in which all that will be left is seeds Seeds they have given me To plant a new lush garden where I decide I fear future gardens will never be as lush, as bright, as comforting. New flowers will grow, but their roots will be shorter, their leaves unacquainted to my history Will I be able to love this garden Just the same? Will this garden show me the same Grace as those before them? I pray their seeds will bear a plush garden, Plush enough to fill the plot Left by the loving flowers I had known before.
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THE POST GRAD GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 13, 2024