My Hidden Garden

I know a hidden garden;
Once, an old dry river bed.
Others think it's barren,
withered, useless, brown and dead.

But if you just look closer,
you'll see flowers scattered 'round.
Those who say they're weeds
can't see the beauty that I've found.

When the monsoon rushes in,
a mother duck will soon appear;
And following. . .her babies
that she hatches every year.

The creek that runs its ancient trail
knows well, that this is home
to many other creatures,
close beside its bank, will roam.

The bull frog and the tortoise;
The coyote and the deer;
The snakes, the rabbits and the birds,
with young ones will appear. 

If you travel through the desert
on this Arizona trail,
call out to the coyote
and the rabbits and the quail.

Don't think they'll lead you to a dry
and useless-withered ground,
or you'll never see the beauty
in this garden that I've found.

© Cheryl Taul
April 2001