I do not ask for forty years
To H on his birthday
I do not ask for forty years,
Forty months, or forty days
What use are numbers
When, in one moment,
who cares when or how long ago,
I threw my garden open
And you, a little dizzy or out of control perhaps
Dashed in and dared to plant
the most exquisite love
You couldn't resist -
you couldn't have known then
what gardens mean to me
And this love you planted,
And are learning so quickly to care for,
how it is burgeoning ,
exciting yet touching me so delicately
I do not ask for forty years,
Forty months or forty days
Just a garden where Deep roots entwine, wild fragrance enchants.
My love, with this great earth to fill with unchecked growth
Let’s don our gloves and give our love
all time.
13 September 1993