In the Garden

In the garden

Where all greens and golds grow

I find myself in the midst of a wonderful sight 

One where God and man meet 

One where God and man greet 

One where God and man feast 

For in nature is where I rediscover 

The parts of me that the cruel world took 

The parts of me that God begged me 

not to Forget 

…

In the garden 

I hear the young girl’s dreams and desires 

Loud and clear 

All her doubts and fears fall away 

As the flowers whisper in her ear 

As the birds sing her unspoken song 

As the bees pollinate her mind 

With all the possibilities that await 

Although she cries at night 

Only in God’s playground does she see the light

…

In the garden 

I meet the 4-year-old me who loved 

To dance to every song 

To write on every page 

To act in every bathroom mirror 

She smiles at me 

With her tiny hand outstretched 

I raise mine to meet hers 

Tears fall from my left eye 

She wipes them quickly before saying

“I missed you. This time I hope you are staying.” 

Original Poem by Amarachi Ibe*