Monet's Garden

I’ve been privileged ‘cause I’ve seen The paintings of Monet. One museum near my house Has many on display. The gardens of Monet provided So much inspiration, His palette came from Nature More than his imagination. I never knew how true that was Until I paid a visit To Monet’s garden, re-created, Looking most exquisite. The experts horticultural Of New York’s main Botanical Did such a bang-up job I’m sure Their research was fanatical. The water lily ponds are filled With plants as flat as platters And such purple-petaled flowers Standing next to them just flatters. There’s a copy of the famous bridge From Monet’s house in France And surrounding it, a swirl of blooms The colors of romance. A vacation to Giverny Isn’t something I have planned, But the New York imitation Made me start to understand That the genius of Monet was more Than paintings that enchanted; For the magic he created Was inspired by what he planted. (written after visiting The New York Botanical Garden’s exhibit)