'The Warden's Garden': A poem by Cameron Holleran

The Warden's Garden

A poem by Cameron Holleran, IGP Poet-in-Residence

With dark bolts, I have locked all people up.

Made them safe, unable to hurt or harm. 

No tears or laughter can I hear

and like this, I will fix the world.

Given three meals a day, watered

like flowers would be, like weeds, buds

groaning in the dark - errant stems, unstable roots,

expected to grow straight. Imagine my disappointment

when I compare my plot to yours, red with roses,

white with daisies. In carnation's spreading bloom

I see the victory of your fertile ground, your tender touch, your pruning,

bringing water when the rain won't fall.

To find out more about Cameron Holleran, visit his personal website.