the meanings of the lily and the rose

[fledgist]

 the garden’s keeper is the one who knows

the time of fruiting and the ways of light

the meanings of the lily and the rose

 

to all who pause to watch as each plant grows

in its true place as firm hands set it right

the garden's keeper is the one who knows

 

when to stay calm and just when to disclose

the secret word that guards from every blight

the meanings of the lily and the rose

 

that in their beds do far more than repose

for the pure delectation of our sight

the garden's keeper is the one who knows

 

the proper manner of setting the rows

to mimic motion and to arrest flight

the meanings of the lily and the rose

 

are not in words still less in strikes and blows

against the passage that leads into night

the garden's keeper is the one who knows

the meanings of the lily and the rose