Garden Home

When in my garden's fair and earthly bound

I chance espy a flut'ring sojourner

With fragile wings, and eyes so big and round

I bid them welcome, feed them tender herb

For Monarch's orange panels with black vein

I charge them little, less than rose's rent

'Neath sturdy shelter from the coming rain

Just greenest milkweed, fresh and succulent.

Black Swallowtail has fennel in its sight

And rue, and parsley, carrot, Queen Anne's lace;

They've eaten all my off'rings, great and slight

Chew-ed stumps remain for daylight's grace.

My garden has been stripp'd! How shall I restore?

Eat it all, little ones, I shall plant some more.