To A Friend

by Simon Cowan
(Mid Glamorgan, South Wales)

Once, you walked in a garden,
growing with flowers
the colour of friendship,
love
and security.

But autumn came,
with its falling leaves and
withering frosts.
Just time for
the briefest of farewells.

Now it is winter and
the garden you tended sleeps
under the snowfall of absence.
The scents, colours and shapes of
that summer are wonderful memories.

Remember dear friend,
spring will come again,
with it's gentle, nurturing rains,
and the flowers that grew in that summer garden
will grow again.

I have just one request,
when that spring comes,
and the hard work, in your garden begins,
remember you have willing hands
to help you tend it.