Garden of the Heart and Soul

Emotional transparency of the spirit within my my soul... A poem about introspective spirituality...

A poem by Harlon Rivers

There is a place where love grows 

In the garden of my soul

There is a place where light shines

In the garden of a beautiful mind

The mind tends innately

To the spirit of the soul

In combination, all together in unison

They all have made my life whole



There is this place where love flows

In the spirit within my heart

Where raindrops quench thirst like gentle tears

They fall, cascade and nourish

The garden and all it’s vibrant flora

The rhythm of the heart beat of the universe

Is the pulse, the pace, the harmony,

Of this peaceful place inside this fleeting flesh and form



There is a thorn tree in the garden,

Surrounded by season’s grace

Daphne’s fragrance in late winter,

Red roses bloom in spring

Gardena’s pungent alluring aroma sings

White orchids throughout all my heart’s seasons

Lilly’s of the Valley’s bouquet fills the air

Enlightening the slumbering darkness dreams



In the garden of my healing heart

There are thistles from my mind

The seeds were sown in darkness

Scattered recklessly, carelessly all around

Their pointed sharpness pierces

Bleeding points pricked inside the soul

Wilted dried flowers mourn where red blood spots drain

Renewing flourishing life when decomposed



There is a time in autumn

When the leaves shall fall and decay

Within the garden of the soul

There comes a time

The setting sun will fade

When a beautiful mind will no longer shine

It’s as natural as the circle of life sustaining growth

The time for going home



Who will tend this garden?

From beginning until end?

When darkness falls into dormancy

Will moon beams radiate new life?

Into the winter starlit heaven’s skies?

Who will harvest eternal love?

Love grown in this garden was not mine to keep or hold

The soul of this man is the spirit’s soul to keep


© 2012 Harlon Rivers