Here in my Garden

 

 

Good day, Miss Ranunculus, how do you do?

Pretty, how is your aunt—and your unculus too?

You’re so comely, so splendrous,  exquisite, devine!

Would it now be ridunculus to add sublime?

 

My dear sweet Chrysanthemum, don’t you look nice.

Oh hear! now this anthem, mum, I won’t look twice

—At others that is!—don’t think me absurd.

I adore you, Miss Anthemum. (Shhh! mum’s the word.)

 

O fair Gladiolus, so stately and tall,

Surely you I love most madlyolus of all.

Courting other than you, Love, with glad-roving eye,

Would be stooping to petal the ‘Gladio’ lie.

 

Here in my garden of floral delights,

So sweet are the days, so tender the nights.

Love is abounding, surrounding my sights,

Here in my garden of floral delights.

 

Good morn, Mistress Hollyhock, hail and halloo!

Permit me, my heart, to sweet hollytalk you.

Your Highness, your height has me half-cocked I fear.

Is it folly to talk of my fondness, my dear?

 

Bon matin, mon cherie, bon matin, Bougainvillea;

Bonjour, mon amour, et bonjour tu gran fille;

Bon soir, si belle fleur au jardin, en Française.

Mon amour, tu es mon fille, en bon jargonaise.

 

Good sunup, Miss Columbine, dear morning dove,

Your petal-wings sweep me up, soaring above;

More sweet than sweet peas on a wee smallum vine,

I peek down on your charms, Love, and I callum fine.

 

Here in my garden of floral delights,

So sweet are the days, so tender the nights.

Love is abounding, astounding my sights,

Here in my garden of floral delights.

 

Daylilies, Morning Glo’s, Night-blooming Jasmine;

I love you ALL most—and most all them who hasim.

Sunflowers, Starflowers, Moonflowers bright,

I adore you by day, and amor you by night.

Veronica, Violet, Rosemary, Daisy,

Lily, Rose, Iris—you all make me crazy!

Petunia, Camellia—dear, Forget-me-not!

Begonia and Dahlia—I love you—the lot!

 

Here in my garden of floral delights,

I’m a sheik in the days of Arabian nights.

A thousand/one concubines conquer my sights;

Here in my harem, immoral delights.

 

Now humbly on bended knee, my Queen Carnation,

I bow and thus crown you in keen coronation.

I never was subject to kiss Royalty

(Your Serene Incarnation has done this to me).

 

Good eve, Lady Aster—dear me! I’m aswoon,

For it’s clear I should say to you, good asternoon.

These days are gone soon—yet Love is steadfaster!

So it’s good asternoon once again, Lady Aster.

 

And softly I say to you, wee Miss Alyssum,

If your favors leave me, sure this: I shall missum.

But should they return with fair Spring’s greenery,

In bliss would I kissum—such sweet scenery!

 

Here in my garden of floral delights,

So sweet are the days, so tender the nights.

Love is abounding, surrounding my sights,

Here in my garden of floral delights.

 

Where Beauty so dwells there is no room for prose;

Here in my garden a rose is a Rose.

No thorn can deny it, as everyone knows;

And here in my garden the poet tree grows.

 

As I toil neath the sun, break the like-calloused earth,

I reflect on my aches, and on gardening’s worth,

Smiling even as sheep’s boon ripe-flagrants my nose,

In loving all pre- their receding repose.