The Poetry Corner

The Garden

By Lola Ridge

Bountiful Givers, I look along the years And see the flowers you threw... Anemones And sprigs of gray Sparse heather of the rocks, Or a wild violet Or daisy of a daisied field... But each your best. I might have worn them on my breast To wilt in the long day... I might have stemmed them in a narrow vase And watched each petal sallowing... I might have held them so - mechanically - Till the wind winnowed all the leaves And left upon my hands A little smear of dust. Instead I hid them in the soft warm loam Of a dim shadowed place... Deep In a still cool grotto, Lit only by the memories of stars And the wide and luminous eyes Of dead poets That love me and that I love... Deep... deep... Where none may see - not even ye who gave - About my soul your garden beautiful.