Pretty obvious what I’m feeling here. It’s so sad to me how easily it has been to divide people into being “enemies” and how quickly progress made can disappear until suddenly you don’t even recognize your own country.
the one we’d been cultivating
for nearly 250 years.
The soil was turned and tilled.
Fertilizer added to strengthen.
Weeds pulled out -
the unjust policies that choked the marginalized.
Seedlings watered -
incremental progress growing
whenever light broke through
the dark times.
The gardeners had their disagreements,
but they began to see the benefit
of tending a garden
where all were welcomed
to bring their skills.
And they said:
“We are the gardeners.
The fruits of our labor
should be shared with fairness.
It is only just.”
Then, dazzling with deceit,
he slithered in,
promising to make the garden
bigger, richer, more productive.
He taunted them:
“Eat the fruit of resentment.
Keep your finger pointed
at the gardeners who aren’t like you.
They are to blame
for all you lack.
You deserve the best fruits.
I - and I alone - can save you.
I - and I alone - can save the garden.
Eat.”
They ate and grew full -
so full their resentment overflowed.
Weeds took root.
Fruits grew bitter.
The garden, once alive
with nourishing
and varied harvests,
began to wilt.
Darkness thickened.
Light dimmed.
Water ran dry.
And while the gardeners argued
over who was entitled
to what little remained,
the serpent and his circling vultures rejoiced.
Soon the garden would be his.
He would put them all to work.
And he would feast
on the fruit of their labor -
he alone.
The gardeners would dine on his scraps.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Read 16 times
Written on 2025-12-22 at 03:31
Save as a bookmark (requires login)
Write a comment (requires login)
Send as email (requires login)
Print text
The Serpent in Our Garden
He came into our garden,the one we’d been cultivating
for nearly 250 years.
The soil was turned and tilled.
Fertilizer added to strengthen.
Weeds pulled out -
the unjust policies that choked the marginalized.
Seedlings watered -
incremental progress growing
whenever light broke through
the dark times.
The gardeners had their disagreements,
but they began to see the benefit
of tending a garden
where all were welcomed
to bring their skills.
And they said:
“We are the gardeners.
The fruits of our labor
should be shared with fairness.
It is only just.”
Then, dazzling with deceit,
he slithered in,
promising to make the garden
bigger, richer, more productive.
He taunted them:
“Eat the fruit of resentment.
Keep your finger pointed
at the gardeners who aren’t like you.
They are to blame
for all you lack.
You deserve the best fruits.
I - and I alone - can save you.
I - and I alone - can save the garden.
Eat.”
They ate and grew full -
so full their resentment overflowed.
Weeds took root.
Fruits grew bitter.
The garden, once alive
with nourishing
and varied harvests,
began to wilt.
Darkness thickened.
Light dimmed.
Water ran dry.
And while the gardeners argued
over who was entitled
to what little remained,
the serpent and his circling vultures rejoiced.
Soon the garden would be his.
He would put them all to work.
And he would feast
on the fruit of their labor -
he alone.
The gardeners would dine on his scraps.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Read 16 times
Written on 2025-12-22 at 03:31
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text
|
Griffonner |
