The Garden

I walked into a garden today.

The trees bloomed with emerald leaves.

Squirrels chittered in the trees,

Arguing over a nut for breakfast.

I walked into a garden today.

Children laughed and gave chase.

The loser of the game fell in the plush grass,

And giggled and scrambled to his feet.

I walked into a garden today.

Butterflies silently danced in the air.

Their wings sparkled with the dew of the rain,

As they drank of the succulent flowers.

I walked into a garden today.

But the green had turned to grey.

Rubber streaks marked the tires’ passing.

As the squirrels dared to dash across.

I walked into a garden today.

It is all concrete and stone.

Children scrambled about in sport,

But the loser cried when he scraped his knee.

I walked into a garden today,

And not one butterfly graced the air.

There was only one, drowning in a puddle,

But a student silently pinned it to a board.

I walked into a garden today,

But the garden is long gone.