“The Garden of the Lord” by Darius M. Ratcliff

THE GARDEN OF THE LORD

It is the garden of the Lord,

And God Himself walks there:

The flowers bloom the year around,

And perfume all the air.

The trees are bright with gleaming birds,

The air with music rings:

Small creatures of the garden world

Pass by on brilliant wings.

And animals of ponderous size,

With sinews built for strength:

And animals of slender grace

Roam all its breadth and length.

But all obey the spell of love,

They know not to destroy:

They grace the garden everywhere,

And heighten all its joy.

And there  is one of nobler mien,

Who lives as master there;

For him the garden planted was,

He is of God an heir.

He daily walks among the trees,

And cultivated the flowers:

He loves each bird and animal;

He loves the groves and bowers.

He walks with God and talks with God;

God is his closest friend;

He ever seeks God’s will to do,

They meet at each day’s end.

Yet man is lonely day by day;

There is a need at heart,

That neither bird nor beast can meet;

He lives alone, apart.

His God then gives another self,

His life with him to share;

And she is of him for him made,

His image she does bear.

And she now with flowing hair,

With laughing, smiling face:

And she now comes with loving ways,

With form of charming grace.

Her voice now ripples into songs,

And now in whispers sweet:

And clothed in beauty meek she stands,

A mate for Adam meet.

And he now takes her by the hand,

And she becomes his bride:

And they now face the world as one,

To journey side by side.

And he now takes her by the hand

And they  together roam:

The garden no more lonely is,

For Eve has made it home.

The flowers gleam with the lovelier hues

Than ever seen before:

The birds now sing far sweeter songs,

And far more gaily soar.

For man has found the dearest thing,

That graces earth below:

And man enjoys companionship

As he goes to and fro.

Image above retrieved from:

http://public-domain-images.blogspot.com/2010/06/creation-of-adam-by-michelangelo.html

Photo: The Creation of Adam (1508-1512), fresco painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo (1475-1564), it illustrates the Biblical story from the Book of Genesis in which God breathes life into Adam, the first man.