In The Garden

Why here
in this wilderness
of singing vines
and silent trees?

I didn’t ask to be here
in the twilight,
smelling lemons,
waiting for you.

Did I say I wanted this-
my feet in grass,
my hands in leaves,
my heart in a basket spun of thread?

You brought me here
into this wilderness
coerced my soul
to drink the honey

Now what am I to do
but dip my feet in the fountain
and close my eyes
and fume?

Why are you coming to me
through the sunset,
swishing the grass,
holding cupped hands?

What do you want from me
in your cursed wilderness,
what do you want with your smile
and your waiting hands?

Stay away from me
keep your grass,
keep your flowers,
keep your trees

Keep your distance,
close your hands,
wipe your smile,
silence the bees

This basket is mine,
the threads are fragile,
put down your hands
close your eyes

And let me leave
this cursed place
with its sun and wind
and trees

Why did you bring me here,
what do you want,
I didn’t ask for this,
let me be

The lemons are heavenly,
the skies are blue,
the bees are singing,
let me go home

Why are you watching me,
and why are your eyes
deeper than the forest,
wilder than your vines?

I didn’t ask for this
let me go home
and forget,
forget about you
-Pliny the Dreamer