This piece is one of three assessments for a Spring School course I completed through University of Tasmania. I had to write something in response to the prompt “Holiday” and present it creatively.
For June
Your pansies smile gaily in your garden
Not knowing their fate
Already the dandelions are growing tall
Eclipsing the manicured grass behind your gate.
Who will look after your lawn,
Plant your summer blooms,
Sweep the path,
Now you are gone?
The door that was always open
Now firmly closed to curious eyes
Blinds drawn, windows locked
No sign of you in any guise.
No more chats about the impending weather for the day
As the sun rose over the majestic mountains behind
No more pats for my dog
Or soothing grandmotherly words
Which were always so kind.
Who will share the neighbourhood gossip now
The street’s all-knowing matriarch,
Has left without a single sound?
Were you alone, I wonder, when your time came
Then I remember your words: “I don’t want to cause a fuss”
And I’m comforted,
But know things will never be the same.
