Best Poems Written by Ashley Parenti

My Secret Garden

My Secret Garden 

I unlatch the gate to my secret garden
Take a step on the emerald green grass beneath my bare feet
As I breathe in the early morning scents 
I watch the orange rays rise over the horizon 
Roses with thorns remind me to never trust the good
Poppies may look pretty, though they will whisper to not trust the wicked
Lavender chases the anxiety away
Sunflowers keep the storms at bay
Secret garden, will you stay? 

Vines twist and turn around my heart
Losing sight in your magical colors
Birds and butterflies flutter in my thoughts 
Disappearing words I choke on to get out 
Singing songs that are lost, but never forgotten 
A butterfly gently lands on my shoulder 
Telling me that change is okay
The birds chirp in my ears 
Telling me that everything will be okay
Secret garden, will you stay? 

I walk to the middle of an old stone bridge 
Gaze across a rippling pond 
Underneath is a family of gleaming goldfish 
Splashing to their own rhythm 
Without a care in the world
For a moment my reflection looks back at me 
A twinkle in my eye
A child-like smile beaming cheerfully 
My reflection dances around like a children’s shadow play 
Secret garden, will you stay? 

The sun is now setting, the crescent moon rising 
I find a swing swaying from an ancient ash tree
Taking a seat, I tightly grab its weathered ropes
Moving my legs back and forth as I look up to the moon and stars
They stare back with their shimmering secrets and tall tale stories 
I begin to realize my mind has been vanished of all its worries 
Briskly I spring off that old swing 
I frolic joyfully as a pluck off a Rose
Reaching my hand into my yellow sundress pocket 
I pull out the key to my secret garden
I am okay
I’ll come back and visit you one day, Secret Garden.

Copyright © Ashley Parenti | Year Posted 2019