Sarah Henry

I want to walk under a grape arbor
wearing a beautiful dress.

I want to a stock a pond with lilies
and goldfish who glide toward me

as I bend to feed them.
Maybe add a turtle or two.

I want an umbrella tree to bow
down to me each morning.

A slowly revolving sunflower
will smile at me in passing.

Ants will scatter upon my approach.
My own impossible violets will

grow beneath the wickets of some
everlasting croquet tournament.

A gargoyle statue ringed with hostas
will stand heavy and hard as a fact.

I want to build a big gazebo
and paint it white where I can

dine alone by moonlight
and sometimes in the dark.