Creatures In The Garden

it makes me happy
to see
creatures in the garden
guests at nature’s generous
perpetual banquet
richer this year
for the rains

the golden dragonfly you’d miss
if you didn’t let your eyes pass slowly
lovingly
along the contours of plants
a newcomer here
who knows today
flowers are laden with juice

the lone chameleon
who moves too swiftly
for a reptile
with spindly legs
head arched watchfully
on its dry, brittle form
matching the terracotta tiles

where three different types of ants
rush busily across
moulded earthen flowers
unceasing in their diligence
with upturned ends
that are exclamation marks
punctuating evangelical zeal
soldiers in shiny black armour
put to innumerable, incomprehensible
invisible tasks in peace


5th september 2010

shahbano aliani