The Garden

there was once a gardener
along with a few more
and a little park
of which he toiled for

the park was a delightful place
butterflies and flowers everywhere
small and quite unnoticed
it was peaceful there

day after day he
would run around to tend
the little flowers that grew
to remove the weeds from the land

despite the thorns and
the times he would stub his toe
he still did his job for
he loved the park so

the gardeners did their jobs
aided nature in its course
admiring the wonders and
giving thanks to their source

the park began to flourish
more and more people passed through
one by one they came
as the park's reputation grew

despite all the fame
the park started to sustain damage
the litter and pollution left behind
the graffiti and the garbage

the gardener was hard pressed
to undo the damage there
despite the work increasing
there was still concern and care

sadly enough the park got
dirtier as the days went by
the flowers started to wilt and
the butterflies started to die

the park's owners heard the news
and issued a decree
none were to set foot there
while it was fixed professionally

even the gardeners had to go
a time from which the decree was dated
when the gardener heard the news
he was utterly devastated

they were to leave until
the park had sufficiently healed
until further notice was given
the place was officially sealed

he understood little of
why this decree had to be
but the words were firm clear
so he packed his bags sadly

as the time drew nearer by the day
although there was such pain
he knew it was right and started to go
and it began to rain

the droplets pelting down
the stinging in his eyes
as he closed the gates
he turned to say his goodbyes

slowly as he left as he wondered
if this was the only way
but in his heart he knew this was right
maybe
just maybe
he could return someday.