Cactus and pine: Songs of the Southwest

by Sharlot Mabridth Hall

MY GARDEN

My heart is a little garden
Set in a desert waste;
The walls are rough, the door is small,
And high the key is placed.
None guess my hidden riches,
My wealth of leaf and bloom;
The gold of chaliced lilies,
The roses rare perfume.
Here climbs the starry jasmine,
Hope’s ladder to the skies;
And here like thoughts too pure for words
The silken moonflowers rise.
Here falls the plashing fountain
With Fancy’s waters bright;
Here flit Ambition’s butterflies,
Winged jewels in the light.
And all sweet birds are singing
Their happy songs together;
So brings the year whatever cheer
My heart holds summer weather.