{"id":112,"date":"2010-02-08T02:18:21","date_gmt":"2010-02-08T09:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.masterofthehouse.org\/?p=112"},"modified":"2017-05-27T12:57:46","modified_gmt":"2017-05-27T18:57:46","slug":"the-garden-part-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/the-garden\/the-garden-part-5\/","title":{"rendered":"The Garden – Part 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

21<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a022<\/a> –\u00a023<\/a> –\u00a024<\/a>\u00a0– 25<\/a><\/p>\n

Twenty-one<\/span><\/h5>\n

My wife and I cared in our son and our lives,
\n rewarded in comfort from boy\u2019s
\n heeding our guidance while manhood came full.
\n We long ago boxed his old toys.<\/p>\n

(Old capper the bear, his swashbuckling friend,
\n together they sailed the high seas.
\n His red, sirened fire truck stopped many a flame.
\n His \u2018racer\u2019 bike often skinned knees.
\n The neighbour chum, either best friend or best foe,
\n who heard the thoughts we\u2019d never known.
\n The girls who showed interest, though he preferred frogs
\n till returning interest had grown.<\/em><\/p>\n

The times of the bullies, the times of the friends,
\n the grades unto grades of high school.
\n In pressure of peer groups he learned what to shun.
\n Our son matured far from a fool!
\n Through first shave and voice change becoming a man
\n a hug would embarrass his cheeks.
\n Now confident, well learned, and strong as an ox;
\n desirous to climb every peak.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

A reckoning followed, the day we foresaw
\n when he came to us standing tall.
\n \u201cThe world needs exploring,\u201d said his baritone,
\n \u201cMy garden is sure not to fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou feel you are ready?\u201d I questioned of him.
\n His answer was cause for a smile,
\n \u201cYou\u2019ve both well instructed, my Special Plant blooms.
\n He\u2019ll be with me each travelled mile.\u201d<\/p>\n

A generation gap \u2013 how could it exist?
\n when God gave us equality.
\n The time comes when He takes the job we were blessed.
\n He helped us face truth gracefully.<\/p>\n

We prayed for his venture, exchanged hug and kiss,
\n then watched this man stride out the door.
\n She cried on my shoulder.\u00a0 I almost cried, too,
\n but God\u2019s will be done evermore.<\/p>\n

She busied the kitchen while I stuffed my pipe
\n and studied the mirror tiled wall.
\n No longer a young man, I still looked quite well
\n for fifty-six\u00a0years overall.
\n Our world was not over because boy was gone.
\n We lived, so our work was not done
\n and Special Plant\u2019s Light filled my garden and hers
\n to draw us in closer as one.<\/p>\n

We lived as examples while plying our jobs,
\n but now there was more we could do.
\n We volunteered service, we bowled in a league,
\n we gave ourselves and flowers grew.<\/p>\n

And each day was tasted so our lives were full.
\n The good and the bad helped us learn
\n while His gifts were many, like son\u2019s wife to be
\n (I laughed when my wife\u2019s ears had burned<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\u201cA natural feeling to want him still ours,\u201d
\n when we talked of her to be wife,
\n \u201cbut he is the Lord\u2019s man and I bless his choice
\n for he has to live his own life.\u201d<\/p>\n

She repented acting like \u2018mother-in-law\u2019.
\n \u201cThe truth is, I like how she looks.
\n I felt there were none who would be good enough.
\n \u2026 I guess I\u2019ve read too many books.\u201d<\/p>\n

We paid half the wedding, a modest affair,
\n young couple did not wish it long.
\n We met with her parents, their Special Plant bloomed,
\n and friendship between us grew strong.
\n When day ended, and she and I were back home
\n we talked \u2013 and we sighed \u2013 of that day.
\n \u201cShe looked very lovely.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cHe stood quite a man.\u201d
\n Of one accord, we knelt to pray.<\/p>\n

We knew the boy\u2019s garden was blessing to teach
\n and joy was ours seeing it bloom,
\n but moreso when thinking how she and I wed:
\n our parents were not in the room.
\n Our hearts held thanksgiving that we understood
\n the place of the three honoured best,
\n for autumn to autumn, the Lord had them called.
\n My parents, her father, to rest.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Twenty-two<\/span><\/h5>\n

We served, in our Father, the years that He gave
\n with Light of Plant Special to lead.
\n And silver expanded in hair of my head,
\n a silver crown bestowed by Seed.<\/p>\n

For such was of God\u2019s gift that life be sustained
\n to opportune garden improved,
\n and seeking improvement extended that life
\n for building a garden unmoved.<\/p>\n

But life was not just to be counted in days
\n for time, alone, was not the all.
\n A garden might fulfill a century work
\n though our measurement found years small.<\/p>\n

If we thought of time as a line which we drew,
\n then God is the paper it\u2019s on.
\n His wisdom knows best the beginning and end,
\n to say when we\u2019re here \u2026 and then gone.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Twenty-three<\/span><\/h5>\n

The doctor informed us that he could do naught
\n when cancer was found in my wife!
\n \u201cA room in hospital is all I suggest
\n with medicine easing her life.\u201d<\/p>\n

We sombrely, silently packed up her things
\n (the backs of our throats burned so hot<\/em>).
\n Then she slammed the suitcase, her tears resolute
\n and said, \u201cDammit, leave you I\u2019ll not!<\/p>\n

“The Lord said it\u2019s over, be He gave you me
\n united till death do us part.
\n I\u2019ve lived for Plant Special and learned of His ways.
\n To leave you would deny my heart.
\n My husband, I love you; and moreso each day.
\n Our lives saw our two grow to one,
\n and while there is life it is my choice to stay
\n until the time my life is done.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve no fear or worry, eternity\u2019s mine
\n to behold the face of our King.
\n Rejoicing His presence in gladness to share
\n the glories our gardens shall sing.
\n But I still have this day, and what may be left.
\n To try and prolong on my own
\n would cheat our last moments and seek to delay
\n the call of our first Love to home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our doctor could see her decision was made
\n so he gave prescription for pain,
\n \u201cI understand reasons but call should you need.\u201d
\n We walked home in the crying rain.<\/p>\n

So many would visit to share of the love
\n which showed, there was no need to say.
\n And frequent our son brought his wife and three boys
\n (I marvelled how his hair showed grey<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Our moments were tender when we were alone,
\n when I urged her to stay in bed.
\n \u201cExplain your intentions,\u201d she coyly replied.
\n I, strutting like youth, kissed her head.<\/p>\n

Our age weathered bodies made our movements slow,
\n but I loved her courage inside.
\n Her pain had increased to where all movement hurt
\n yet she stayed, with joy, at my side.
\n But often I wondered why she suffered so.
\n To Plant she had strove to be true.
\n Was God so dispassioned?\u00a0 Forgetting her now?
\n But then, of His reasons, I knew:<\/p>\n

She called me to bedside, her voice cracked and weak
\n (the day which I dreaded was here!<\/em>)
\n but when I looked on her I shocked at the glow
\n of garden bouqueting my dear!
\n And never had my eyes beheld such a sight
\n of blossoms perfuming the air.
\n Rewards of her purpose to stay wife to death,
\n and proof that Plant Special did care.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband, it\u2019s over.\u00a0 I am called to rest.
\n Our Lord will fill what you would miss.\u201d
\n We touched aged fingers.\u00a0 I stroked through her hair.
\n She gave up the ghost \u2018midst our kiss.<\/p>\n

\u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026<\/p>\n

I held her long moments.\u00a0 I could not let go.
\n I breathed whispered love in her ear.
\n Not wanting to cry and not wanting to not \u2026
\n \u201cMy child, you have nothing to fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2026 In startled amazement my eyes lifted up
\n and saw but ourselves there alone.
\n Did I really hear what I thought I had heard?
\n And did I then hear impressed on?,<\/p>\n

\u201cFor her pain is over, and worry and care
\n are wisps of smoke dispersed by Love.\u201d
\n Was grief taking my mind?!\u00a0 Then Softness assured
\n this wisdom had come from above.
\n The sureness, the certainty that she had rest
\n in His arms, eternal and new,
\n was smile to my tears as I lay her back down
\n releasing with blessing our two.<\/p>\n

But still was the question, why did she die so,
\n her passage from this life so strained?
\n Impressed on me further was His faithful care
\n and reasons of Father explained:<\/p>\n

my wife was a martyr for faith to the Bloom,
\n no less than beheaded or stoned
\n for man has been always the killer of men
\n and why creation always groaned.
\n By methods direct or the long way around
\n the thief seeks to kill, steal, destroy.
\n In self serving ways men agree with that plan
\n to quench others\u2019 for their own joy.<\/p>\n

Diseases are rampant, they travel the lands
\nand also the waters and air,
\n while men concur poisoning what was for life
\n so profits and ease outweigh care.
\n My love had ingested the death God allowed
\n without even knowing it done.
\n It serves testimony, as all His have done:
\n the guilty should tremble them gone!<\/p>\n

The clouds rained their tears when we buried my wife,
\n wept for the world\u2019s loss I believed;
\n but though many mourned her, the heaven\u2019s rejoiced
\n for beautiful garden received.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Twenty-four<\/span><\/h5>\n

I found it hard coping with living alone
\n (it was for myself that I grieved<\/em>).
\n Her works were now finished, her rest well deserved
\n in His care.\u00a0 I should feel relieved.<\/p>\n

I finally asked the Plant to lead my days
\n (immediately flowers grew)
\n and though I was lonely, I was not alone.
\n That Jesus was with me I knew
\n for many came visits from strangers and friends:
\n the wisdom of silver hair sought.
\n I would entertain them with stories of Truth.
\n Experience salted the lot.<\/p>\n

The young and the younger had asked for advice,
\n the gardening way from a pro;
\n and when there were questions that baffled my mind
\n my prayers in the Lord let me know.<\/p>\n

I thanked God that I held great grandson in arms
\n though milk on my sweater was spit.
\n My heirs greatly flourished, Bloom Special in all.
\n Bright gathered the gardens so lit
\n as we feasted Christmas (unknown as my last<\/em>)
\n to celebrate reason for Light.
\n I headed the table as elder of clan.
\n The closeness had set my soul right.<\/p>\n

When the evening ended and children to bed
\n the women had talk over tea
\n while nursing some brandies the men gathered \u2018round
\n intently to listen to me.<\/p>\n

I knew not the reasons, yet words had ensued
\n relating my trials of youth.
\n In candid accounting weed garden was told.
\n My life was recounted in Truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have received mercy,\u201d to their avid ears,
\n \u201cI wish it not thought I am good.
\n We\u2019ve all battled thorns at some point in our lives
\n but I wasted much \u2018fore I would.
\n So many had suffered my thistle plant ways \u2013
\n desirous of good, I was not \u2013
\n and crimes I committed for financial gain,
\n unpunished more often than caught.<\/p>\n

“Though now I am ancient, my youth saw me strong.
\n My prowess was feared on the street.
\n With right arm so fisted I took as I willed.
\n Not many could bring me defeat.
\n Yet, despite my power I was very weak,
\n though I could not admit my need.
\n The master of mayhem with such mighty arm!
\n could not forestall one measly weed.<\/p>\n

“Then told of Seed Special from ancient, as I,
\n who pained from a crime I had done \u2013
\n I toast to his garden.\u201d\u00a0 And all drank with me.
\n \u201cFor I love that silver haired one.<\/p>\n

“And humble Seed Special, a frail and small Seed,
\n had sprouted desire to learn.
\n Yet I mocked Its meekness \u2013 I felt strength was size \u2013
\n from what I thought sham I had turned.
\n I stayed on the treadmill of no-place-to-go,
\n then wife became mine for the years.
\n Despite all our efforts to love life anew
\n out laughter had oft turned to tears.<\/p>\n

“But only rock bottom had opened our eyes,
\n the loss of our things of the world.
\n Once humbled in sadness we sought for the Seed
\n and Power before us unfurled!
\n What happened amazed me for years of my sweat
\n could not let my garden stay clear.
\n Yet, in but an eye blink, this frail little Seed
\n accomplished the task as if mere.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s been ever faithful at each twist and turn
\n in this path which I call my life.
\n He never forsook me though I often erred
\n and brought upon myself great strife.
\n The more that I sought Him, the more that I learned
\n and more that I saw things His way.
\n With deeper and closer our relationship
\n together we traveled each day.<\/p>\n

“To know Him as personal: the greatest Gift!
\n worth more than world riches all told.
\n He knew all my evils, yet He still declared
\n my value surpassed all fine gold.
\n The moral, my children, raise your children well.
\n Plant Special, taught early, ensures
\n that always they have it, the Answer at hand
\n to fend off the pain of world lures.\u201d<\/p>\n

I left them to ponder, my bones needed sleep.
\n The truth they already could see:
\n my lush, coloured garden was His mercy gift.
\n The Lord saved a sinner like me!<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Twenty-five<\/span><\/h5>\n

The springtime awakened and fresh was the air.
\n Creation rebloomed into life.
\n My evening meander, enjoying the park \u2013
\n met weed gardens; one with a knife!<\/p>\n

He looked to be leader, and wild were his eyes
\n as obvious under some drugs.
\n He barked out the orders to force a comply
\n from his troupe of wanna-be thugs.<\/p>\n

So sad that his power they wanted to please
\n (approval is vital to boys<\/em>).
\n Obedience to him was lift for themselves
\n with his nod to culminate joys.
\n They swaggered insistence while beating me up,
\n that my money and I should part.
\n I feared not, nor hated \u2026 not when I complied,
\n nor when razored edge pierced my heart.<\/p>\n

Pain was but a moment and words mingled blood\u2019
\n \u201cForgive them, my Father above.\u201d
\n And they shocked, immobile, when I hit the ground
\n and told them, \u201cYour gardens, God loves.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Light shone upon them, confusion rose up
\n with deeds and their lives showing plain.
\n They struggled denial and wrestled the truth
\n that their plans held no lasting gain.<\/p>\n

At that very moment they each faced themselves.
\n From vileness, unable to hide
\n for in Truth there is only for or against.
\n Those children were choosing a side,
\n while I looked to heaven and felt growing calm,
\n the pain not as sharp as before,
\n when weed gardens argued.\u00a0 I struggled a smile
\n as one cried, \u201cI\u2019ll do this no more!\u201d<\/p>\n

He warmed me with his coat and cried out for help \u2013
\n the one with the knife ran away.
\n \u201cForgive me, old timer!\u201d he said in his tears,
\n \u201cI\u2019ll stay for the price I must pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

All pain went to pressure, but I heard and saw
\n while coughs racked my elderly frame.
\n His arms were around me to cradle my head.
\n I mumbled Plant Special by name.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you old timer, the Lord you do call.
\n What good is He to such as I?\u201d
\n I weakened to grasp him, and spoke with a croak,
\n \u201cHe loves you!\u00a0 Don\u2019t bid Him goodbye!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you\u2019re saying.\u00a0 I want to believe
\n in hope I would often deny,
\n but here come the police.\u00a0 I turn myself in.
\n \u2026 Just know that I\u2019ll give Light a try.\u201d<\/p>\n

I saw police take him and heard as they said,
\n \u201cFor murder your life is as done!\u201d
\n I coughed my last saying upon bubbled blood,
\n but they still heard, \u201cHe\u2019s not the one.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled, sad but grateful, while taken away
\n (a garden assured did I see<\/em>).
\nI sighed into blindness and could only hear
\n the medics attending to me.
\n The world slowly faded, reality gone
\n though I knew I existed yet.
\n A warmth had enwrapped me, I smelled baking bread
\n while past scenes my mind did beget.<\/p>\n

I watched my whole lifetime, the scenes like a dream
\n yet so real I felt I could touch.
\n And great was the content when my Plant was known.
\n The growing of those days was much.
\n And then Light surrounded, discomfort was gone,
\n and Love was a physical thing!
\n (\u201cMy Lord Jesus, thank You!\u00a0 I \u2026)
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026
\n \u2026<\/p>\n

<< Part 4<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Part 6 >><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

21\u00a0–\u00a022 –\u00a023 –\u00a024\u00a0– 25 Twenty-one My wife and I cared in our son and our lives, rewarded in comfort from boy\u2019s heeding our guidance while manhood came full. We long ago boxed his old toys. (Old capper the bear, his swashbuckling friend, together they sailed the high seas. His red, sirened fire truck stopped many […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-112","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-the-garden","7":"entry","8":"override"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Master of the House","author_link":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/author\/master-of-the-house\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterofthehouse.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}