In the spring we went into the garden where all the plants had died
A mass of brown leaves met our gaze and much more besides
We set to work with our secateurs to remove all the dead wood
By the end of the day our work was done and it was looking good
As time went on new shoots appeared from the severed stems
And as they pushed towards the light there emerged hidden gems
Soon buds could be seen in abundance with their heads held proud
Then the flowers began to unfold from their protective shroud
All summer long we sat out there enjoying the colourful scene
Red yellow purple and blue set off by vivid green
But now autumn is encroaching and the days are getting cold
Soon the plants will fade away as they themselves get old
All through the winter the days will be frosty and dark
The plants will silently wait, their stems looking worn and stark
But then it will get warmer, the air will change and then
We'll go into the garden and it will all begin again
© Christine Peet 2024
