"The Garden"

The smell ignited an irresistible curiosity,
   yet he resisted entering the garden.
Years later,
   he dared himself to enter.

The gatekeeper told him that
   a Buddhist teacher gave
   weekly lectures.
Which gave him a reason to breathe
   deeper.

And as he walked in,
   he heard the gatekeeper say
   "Come for the garden,
   stay for the message."

Years later,
   he planted his favorite tree, 
   one like he saw in the garden,
   but it did not survive.
He went back to the garden
   and heard the Buddhist teacher more clearly. 
Which gave him a reason to breathe
   deeper.

And to plant the right tree . . . 

 

March 2022

back

©2022, Michael Smolens