The Gardener's Gift

by Maryna Wilson

A simple Man without children or wife

Loved flowers more than his life

He protected his roses, lilies and orchids

Always carried seeds and sprouts in his pockets

From his touch plants bloomed faster

All his creations adored their master

Flowers oft' argued who was the best

And developed their beauty without sleep or rest

At night they painted themselves with brushes

Adding new color sand freshening blushes

One of the orchids didn't use blush at all

She was very pale, short and small

Without any outstanding feature

Just a very simple lovely creature

Each morning the gardener was estranged

Many times the flowers had changed

They became so pleasing for his eyes

But most of them he couldn't recognize

Except of the one, colored only by rain

It kept its honesty in staying plain

About that garden people spread the word

It became the most famous in the world

For a high price everything was sold and bought

The Gardener became richer than he ever thought

Only the orchid, plain and pale

Was too unique to be for sale

Flowers enjoyed the hustle and bustle

Some of them were sent to the castle

Their royal airs and petal dresses

Impressed princes and princesses

The Gardener knew his job and did it well

Gifted to people joy and luscious smell

He lived peacefully, day by day

When a mysterious woman happened his way

Gracefully she walked through his flower paradise

Brought satisfaction to his heart and his eyes

His feelings were strong and bright

It was love from the first sight

Such passion he couldn't hide

Bent the knee and asked her to become his bride

His forehead sweat shined and sparkled

The crowd stared, whispered, chuckled

The Woman was flattered with so much attention

But had to check the honesty of Man's intention

For hard work the Gardener deserved good fame

Was a rich man with well-known name

But for her he still was just a stranger

Believing whom could be an unknown danger

If he really wished to never be apart

With a beautiful gift he should win her heart

To present the flower he loved the most

For happiness that is a tiny cost

Of course the Gardener agreed

And as his beloved requested, quickly did

He brought what he valued most of all

His humble orchid, pale and small

The Woman hated the gift from first glance

To such disrespect she took offense

How dared he to give her that flower, ugly, plain

Such disappointment caused her pain

The Gardener begged for her to stay

The Woman shed tears and ran away

The great Man without children or wife

To flowers devoted his entire life

Sometimes people don't understand each other

One's treasure could mean nothing to another

When honesty happens to be imperfectly plain

It's value only the heart can explain

Those who judge only with the eyes

Often prefer the perfections of lies.

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