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.