By Mary Olivia Patiño

“My Garden”

Oh, gladioli, gardenia and plumeria
Peach, pink, yellow, white
And rosy ladies standing by,
Sharing stories, secrets...

Tropical colors and your scent  
invite, entice
Me
To touch you tenderly,
To breathe in your
fragrance
And 
Your delight to see.

Walking through my garden,
Suddenly I feel,
A chill.
Yes, the cold snap
Will linger
For awhile.

Yet, what do I hear?
Spring
Is whispering:
I am coming!
I am very near.

And my soul,
Quietly sleeping,
Awakens from its dream,
To the promise
Of  love’s melody…

Behold!
I am very near.
Promises still to unfold,
Like the petals on a new-born rose.

Gently stirring breeze and
Swaying windchimes
Join the universe
In the song.

While rosy ladies stop their chattering to listen and behold.