Walking in the Public Gardens after Rain

see how the roses
so carefully tended
have been beaten down
by the heavy
rain

the ground is covered
with a patchwork of colour

see how the men and women
asleep on the grass
and park benches
are wet and dishevelled

let us pull this quilt of petals
over their beautiful shoulders

before we perish
from the cold

 

Rae Crossman

Set by Jennifer Butler for Blueridge Chamber Music Festival 2021

See performance video here.

Published in Good Work News, December 2017