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The Garden Seat

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Originally published: 25th January 2020

Image by MJ Jin from Pixabay

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

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

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.

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Sam Kauffman

Date: 7/19/2022 1:26:00 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!

Gary Radice
Date: 7/20/2022 3:10:00 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

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/17/2022 12:53:00 PM

oh my, this is SO GOOD . A fave.

Gary Radice
Date: 7/17/2022 1:19:00 PM

Thank you Andrea. It's one of those poems that wrote itself. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley

Date: 7/16/2022 9:12:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/17/2022 4:07:00 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

Mark Massey

Date: 7/16/2022 7:35:00 AM

Beautifully written and such a heartfelt tribute Gary. Congrats

Gary Radice
Date: 7/17/2022 4:02:00 AM

Thank you Mark. Sometimes when I'm in the moment, the words come easy and poems write themselves. Cheers - Gary

John Watt

Date: 7/15/2022 9:36:00 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

John Watt
Date: 7/17/2022 12:08:00 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.

Gary Radice
Date: 7/17/2022 4:00:00 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

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/15/2022 1:33:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/17/2022 3:54:00 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

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/15/2022 8:44:00 AM

Congratulations on this win. A beautiful write. Today, be blessed with your win.............

Gary Radice
Date: 7/15/2022 1:11:00 PM

Lovely, thank you Paula. Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney

Date: 7/15/2022 8:23:00 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!

Gary Radice
Date: 7/15/2022 1:12:00 PM

Thank you Mark. I'm honoured to be among so many brilliant poets in the list of winners. Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand

Date: 10/2/2021 12:47:00 AM

I like to see one in a garden Gary..especially at my advanced age

Gary Radice
Date: 10/2/2021 1:36:00 AM

I'm in my late 50s and need one..particularly after the weeding :) Thanks for your visit Brian!

Line Gauthier

Date: 2/11/2021 2:37:00 PM

A pleasure to find your beautifully penned poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Gary~

Gary Radice
Date: 2/11/2021 8:59:00 PM

Thank you Line. It's dedicated to my parents. :)

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/19/2020 9:29:00 PM

Very touching. Love it.

Gary Radice
Date: 5/2/2020 9:33:00 AM

Thank you Line!

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 1/29/2020 5:37:00 AM

Lovely poem with a touching ending! Really love this poem.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/29/2020 6:29:00 AM

Thank you Krish! I'm really glad you loved it.

Brenda Chiri

Date: 1/28/2020 1:38:00 PM

So beautiful! Congrats on your top win!;)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2020 2:06:00 PM

Thank you Brenda - I always really appreciate your comments :)

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 1/27/2020 6:51:00 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)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2020 2:47:00 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

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/26/2020 2:18:00 PM

- This is beautiful, Gary :) - A winning poem in my eyes ... good luck in the contest :) - // Anne-Lise :)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/26/2020 2:55:00 PM

Thank you Anne-Lise for your lovely and encouraging comments.