Serenade

Come to the garden, that familiar place Where life renews itself against all odds. Untightening buds act out their memory, And dying seems a momentary pause.

Our star that took an afternoon to sink Hangs in reluctance from the darkening tree Like an amused and philosophic eye Penning his treatise of the out-of-doors.

We are the topics of his arguments, Enduring his extemporised revisions. We are reminded of our natural ends And of our origins, and of their laws.

The knotted plum has dared at last to bloom: Its blossom has no other mind but yours.

The yellow spray will lean down just for you And though its petals scatter, they are yours.

Twisted wisteria unfolds and falls: Its violet is a passing thought of yours.

The carved magnolia tilts and lifts a cheek That mimics the expressiveness of yours.

The visited and swooning clematis Climbs like a conscious eagerness of yours.

Yours are the flowers dimmer than their air, Whose perfume lingers like an old desire.

Come to the garden, where two glasses wait And there’s a chair beside another chair.