How Does My Garden Grow?

Sublimely well, thanks to the
seasonal prevalence of
soil-warming, nurturing radiance
of the sun returned to our
northern hemisphere, urging
shrubs, trees, perennials, to
emerge from their winter stupor.

As the sap returns to its place
above tree roots, life emerges
and pale green shoots slip from
dormant stasis to reclaim their
birthright, proudly renascent,
fragrant and lovely with flowers
presaging fruits of a near-distant
season, leaving us blissful with
fulfillment and expectations.

Then, the elements intrude upon
the idyll, swiftly transformed from
ideal to unobligingly extreme.
The cooling breeze has altered its
shape, its acceleration, its function
and benevolence to become a vile,
destructive influence on gardens.

Whose parts of their sum total flail
helplessly, as apple trees crack and
swoon to the ground; irises and
hydrangea, bellflowers, plaintain
lilies, ranunculus, geraniums,
splay in undignified distress.