THE GARDENER'S FLOWER


The flower referred to in my poem is the 18-month-old little girl of a verydear friend of mine. The victim of a violent act by someone she and hermother loved and trusted, she is now paralyzed and fighting for a normallife. God gave me this poem to honor Stephanie's struggle. I hope it willraise awareness for all the children in the world who suffer at the hands ofabuse everyday.

Lemon-colored petals
Kissed with morning dew
Stretched toward marshmallow heavens
On a background of baby blue

In her little flowerpot
She was safe and warm
Sitting on a window sill
Never knowing harm

Fairest flower of them all
Innocence her friend
Her green stem stood straight and tall
Never to waiver, never to bend

Gentle rain and sun alike
Brought growth into her days
Wind would brush her tiny petals
Causing her to dance and sway

Then on day dark clouds rolled in
And lightning streaked around
A storm crushed the flowerpot
Left it broken on the ground

But the Gardener was watching
Salty tears stung his face
"I'll find for you another pot
I'll put your flower in a vase"

He threw away the broken pieces
Picked up the battered bloom
It would be beautiful a few more days
And He took it to His room

He re-planted her tiny roots
In a bigger flower pot
He sat her in a sunny place
Soothed and loved her a lot

Then, as time passed slowly by
The bloom in the vase long faded
A new plant began to sprout and grow
The Gardener was elated!

"I'll have a better flower now
With some love and care
Practice patience while she blooms
Golden petals for her hair"

Her roots are strong and firmly planted
In the soil so lovingly tended
By the Gardener who died for her
That her life could now be mended

Copyright © 2001 Micki Biddle

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