The Garden Gnome
Lauren Shelley
I found a garden gnome
in the garden off the kitchen.
He was smaller than I expected
if I ever expected a gnome.
He leaned, rather weary, on a squash.
His little hat was missing,
and his tattered trousers told me
Since it was my cat that did the roughing,
I felt partially responsible.
Mr. Pickles.)
What would I want
after a near-death encounter
with probing, predatory paws?
Maybe bread and coffee?
G
The cat was stalking squirrels
at the other end of the garden.
This was my chance to investigate—
tentative, curious, and confused.
I knelt down in the soil.
The damp earth soaked my knees.
“Little guy?” I inquired. “Are you ok?”
I tried to make my voice gentle
The gnome startled—wide-eyed, panicked, alert.
He scrambled from his squash seat
and searched for starchy strength.
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