Walking around a familiar path br I hoped and wondered if I would be br Let in to my secret garden today br Will a gateway open, for just a moment! br Would I be quick enough to see it? br br Then it appeared suddenly, a wish granted br Hidden among the bushes br Covered with creepers and thorns br Was it always there I wondered br Crawling in, with twigs and thorns scraping br br Bleeding and scratched br But the pain is no match br To the beauty that I now see br For I am within the secret garden br That was once my playground, my special place br br I wander gratefully br Touching my garden of discovery br Relishing the dewy fresh air, laden with bark and leaf br Moist earth and many growing things br For this heaven may last only a moment br br I walk in the mellow light br That filters through the canopy of leaves br From giant trees that line br Its meandering pathways br And lead my steps br br I relish the feast around me br Of nature’s bounty in leaves and birds br Chattering squirrels and frolicking dogs br Flitting butterflies and buzzing insects br Playful and light, the day goes by br br Why is it getting darker now? br Why does time run ahead br Taking with it, my secret garden mist br Wiped away by an inexorable hand br br But shimmering behind closed eyelids br I can still remain, immersed in the beauty br Of what was real, just moments ago br Before reality and light overtake br Echoes of departing beauty and peacebr br Anita Atinabr br