The Garden of Slow Poems Poems and prose/Gedichten en literair proza By/Van

A GARDENER

I choose their places first. and them.
but then the plants will fill
spaces nearby most naturally

Thyme with a haze of palest violet
will blanket cypress’ hidden feet
and green Hypericum will climb
the dry stone wall and celebrate
its reign with golden decoration
(exploring tenderly through secret spies
the shadow underneath for next year’s pride)

Rosemary, herb gardens escaped slave
will build a mighty wall in a decade
establishing a stern monopoly
the nomad Cistus will invade
all breaches and in festive shifts
flag its short victories with white and purple

I let them be, my friends, and find
their place.