On a fruitful hill the Gardner fences a plot, gathering stones
then planting the choicest of vines.
The finest grapes of rose and purple cluster among
splashes of green leaves and branches, weaving through
shadows and sun!
The song of the Beloved touches his vineyard, his pleasant
plants reaping a harvest in the autumn, yielding fruits of sweetness.
A wine press is built to press the fruit, and a strong tower is placed in the midst
that his watchmen may watch for thieves and robbers, and the
people run into and are safe.
Hiring a gatekeeper to protect his vines, the absent Gardner
leaves the country, traveling to a far off land. The gatekeeper’s child
fair skinned with bright blue eyes and blonde tousled hair, digs in
flower beds with songs of laughter. One night the gatekeeper
became imbibed, partaking of wine. Becoming mean, he
fell asleep. As he slept an enemy crept in, stealing his child who ran and hid.
A darkness covered the garden, the fruit withered and
died, the sweet smell of the tender grapes now tainted, became sour
wine. The Gardner returns questioning “Where is my gatekeeper
and his child?” But there is no reply. Sleeping through the night
the gatekeeper comes to his senses, with love and prayers
bidding his son’s return.
The child runs into the the tower of safety!
The vines now tended with love and care, bring about much more
fruit than before!
Donna's Poetry Blog 