• The Gardener
• Weeding out the memories of time's forgotten thoughts
• Too soon replaced by seeding from the new technology
• I asked the gardener "What is in the future here for me?"
• He turned a mild smile, then said, "Son, there's not a lot.
• The growing litter piles turn to poison underground,
• And as the ozone disappears in higher atmosphere
• Pure sunlight now brings greater risks to people living here
• My only hope is a good answer will, someday, be found."
• I turned away at that moment, and as I worked the land
• All sand and sea beneath me raced away to sullen shores.
• A seagull flies to lofty peaks, and as the ocean roars,
• My tools gently turn the soil; skills of a labored hand.
• The gardener groaned, then staggered back to sit upon a stone
• I rushed to heal his weariness, but he pushed me aside.
• "I've done all that I can today. It's time to change the tide."
• Then standing up, he brushed himself, then turned to walk alone.
• The gardener never did return; I heard he died somewhere.
• He never lived to see the people care about the earth.
• As those who cherish life and nature, knowing of its worth,
• Are working at replenishing the pureness of the air.
• So to this end, I wish to thank the gardeners with respect,
• To ask them for forgiveness from our garbage of the past
• As we begin to change our ways to help the world to last
• By teaching all our children that the evil is neglect.
• (c) 1991 David I. Brager
• (Dedicated in loving memory of Douglas Bolitho)
• History Should Not Repeat
• Clearing out the oceans upon drifts of icy blue
• With you against my skin within the darkness of the sun
• Then run along the swollen surf upon a sandy beach
• To reach the place where all our life together had begun.
• Looking in the pools there, I see into the past
• Where last we'd met when cleaning oil off the icy shore
• With more time spent in working, we spent lots of time together
• As weather made the working much less fun, but more a chore.
• Staring at the northern lights, your face glows with your love
• As far above the stars play havoc with the frosty air
• I pray as such, in word and touch, to always be with you
• As through your life, I hope that I have heart enought to care.
• I'd like to thank the captain as the Valdez' ran aground
• According to the record, it seems he was not around
• For without him there is the chance that we would never meet
• Though sometime there are reasons history should not repeat.
• (c) 1991 David I. Brager, Ace Development & Integration

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