Notes About The Poem

Originally published: 25th January 2020

Image:  MJ Jin from Pixabay 

This poem was placed 1st in the "BRIAN STRAND RHYME" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 21st March 2022)

As featured in The Poetry Soup Anthology "PS: It's Poetry"


The Garden Seat

just like their love of fifty years
that they held very dear
the lilies and the irises
looked radiant that year.

they had no need to prove their love
just a knowing glance instead
and a gentle squeeze when holding hands
beside their flower bed.

when both felt tired from bending down
and working in the heat
they spoke of seeds and bulbs and things
drinking tea upon the seat.

having rid the soil of all the weeds
he hoed and raked the earth.
the yellow line of daffodils
spoke more than words were worth.

and when their lawn was cloaked in leaves
from the sycamore above
they cursed and sighed just being themselves
in the autumn of their love.


and as he sat there mourning
the passing of his wife
he looked upon the garden as

A CELEBRATION

of her life.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Dietrich Avatar
August 19, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Wow. I love this!!! A fave 👏
Radice Avatar
August 24, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Thank you Andrea. Very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Kendrick Avatar
August 19, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Great to see your work on Brian's blog page. Sara K. 👍
Radice Avatar
August 19, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Thank you Sara. Cheers - Gary
Carmack Avatar
August 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM
A fine tribute. I especially liked the inclusion of autumn and its timing place in the poem.
Radice Avatar
August 11, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Thanks Rob. I set out to capture the later twilight stage of my parents’ relationship - a time of deep reflection, strong bonding and ultimately acceptance. Cheers - Gary
Kauffman Avatar
July 19, 2022 at 1:26 PM
What a beautiful poem Gary. I love the thought of a garden being a celebration of one's life and the work of one's hands. Congratulations on your win. This garden of shared love is very special. Cheers!
Radice Avatar
July 20, 2022 at 3:10 AM
Thanks Sam. I was never a keen gardener but have come to understand the benefits of having access to a garden. Wellbeing, relaxation, stress relief..they go on. A garden too - I believe - is an extension of one's own thoughts, feelings and mindset. Thanks again. I'll catch up with my reading over the next couple of days. Cheers - Gary
Dietrich Avatar
July 17, 2022 at 12:53 PM
oh my, this is SO GOOD . A fave.
Radice Avatar
July 17, 2022 at 1:19 PM
Thank you Andrea. It's one of those poems that wrote itself. Cheers - Gary
Ashley Avatar
July 16, 2022 at 9:12 PM
Dear Gary, your poignant pen spills with soulful beauty. Tender throughout, I was especially moved by your finale... just so gloriously touching. Your exquisite imagery, rhythm and rhymes evokes emotions with poetic finesse. Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Radice Avatar
July 17, 2022 at 4:07 AM
Thank you Susan for your high praise. I'm going to spend the afternoon reading the other winners in Mark's contest and looking forward to doing so. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary
Watt Avatar
July 15, 2022 at 9:36 PM
Gary, I remember loving this one in the first anthology, and so pleased to read it again today and celebrate your contest win with you. I see from the comments that this was about your parents, adding another dimension of meaning; I'm sure this one is very close to your heart and maybe a bit emotional in sharing it and re-reading it. To lose someone dear brings both waves of sorrow and celebration, and you have given us balance so wonderfully in stanza II and set it up perfectly in stanza I. Gorgeous writing, congrats for your win. Cheers ~ John
Watt Avatar
July 17, 2022 at 12:08 PM
That moment of seeing your dad sitting by the garden is the perfect seed for growing a meaningful poem. So glad you watered and nurtured this seed. I'm inspired by this to recall such moments and plant such seeds.
Radice Avatar
July 17, 2022 at 4:00 AM
It was a few months after my mum had died when I caught sight of my dad at his house sitting and looking down the garden. He was a keen gardener, my mum not so much but she liked helping out and they often sat on the garden seat together discussing things. Many memories write my poems. Thanks again John for your visit, read and that brilliant way you are able to put into words and articulate exactly what I'm trying to convey. Cheers - Gary
Marcum Wong Avatar
July 15, 2022 at 1:33 PM
My husband left me a rose garden that misses his tender loving care, yet it still blooms. I love your gorgeous poem Gary. My sweetheart and I only had forty years together but the feelings of a long marriage as you depict feels like us. A Fave for me. Congratulations on your high placement Gary and your other first place wins. Blessings xxoo
Radice Avatar
July 17, 2022 at 3:54 AM
Thank you Connie. I love the idea that despite your late husband not being able to provide tender loving care to the rose garden it still conveys your husband's unspoken but passionate and romantic feelings towards you by way of the blooming. Gardens are important to health, wellbeing..and poetry. They symbolise so much. Cheers - Gary
Goldsmith Avatar
July 15, 2022 at 8:44 AM
Congratulations on this win. A beautiful write. Today, be blessed with your win.............
Radice Avatar
July 15, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Lovely, thank you Paula. Cheers - Gary
Toney Avatar
July 15, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Gary, I'm going to save this rhyme, as a Fave in time, for next year when our 50th bells chime! Congratulations on your win on Mile 7 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 8 has already started!
Radice Avatar
July 15, 2022 at 1:12 PM
Thank you Mark. I'm honoured to be among so many brilliant poets in the list of winners. Cheers - Gary
Strand Avatar
October 2, 2021 at 12:47 AM
I like to see one in a garden Gary..especially at my advanced age
Radice Avatar
October 2, 2021 at 1:36 AM
I'm in my late 50s and need one..particularly after the weeding :) Thanks for your visit Brian!
Gauthier Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 2:37 PM
A pleasure to find your beautifully penned poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Gary~
Radice Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 8:59 PM
Thank you Line. It's dedicated to my parents. :)
Gauthier Avatar
April 19, 2020 at 9:29 PM
Very touching. Love it.
Radice Avatar
May 2, 2020 at 9:33 AM
Thank you Line!
Radhakrishna Avatar
January 29, 2020 at 5:37 AM
Lovely poem with a touching ending! Really love this poem.
Radice Avatar
January 29, 2020 at 6:29 AM
Thank you Krish! I'm really glad you loved it.
Chiri Avatar
January 28, 2020 at 1:38 PM
So beautiful! Congrats on your top win!;)
Radice Avatar
January 28, 2020 at 2:06 PM
Thank you Brenda - I always really appreciate your comments :)
Barden Avatar
January 27, 2020 at 6:51 PM
Wonderfully poignant and melancholy write, Gary - I apologize, I am not familiar with your work, but I will be getting MORE so, as I thoroughly enjoy your style. Blessings! :o)
Radice Avatar
January 28, 2020 at 2:47 AM
Thank you Gregory! I find writing in rhyme suits me and love telling a story. Love, as we know, can be subtle but no less deep. I was happy how this poem came together. Thank you once again. Appreciated. Gary
Andresen Avatar
January 26, 2020 at 2:18 PM
- This is beautiful, Gary :) - A winning poem in my eyes ... good luck in the contest :) - // Anne-Lise :)
Radice Avatar
January 26, 2020 at 2:55 PM
Thank you Anne-Lise for your lovely and encouraging comments.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace