MR. YEE IS IN THE GARDEN
from Freeze Tag (1984)
by Marea Gordett

Mr. Yee is in the garden talking to his flowers.
I don't know what he says
but I know they love him, little boats
coming to anchor in his hands.

He weeds and laughs. The thin notes
of a song glide across the soil, dark
as the Chinese fishing village
he hasn't seen in thirty years.

And beyond the muddy river, in the next town,
Dusk slides into its car and speeds
through the red light by the depot
and arrives in its pale coat.

Sails gather in the gray:
orange tiger lilies,
roses and the fragile
pink bleeding hearts.

Mr. Yee is singing them to sleep.
On the roof the sun balances on its back.
He stands watchful, hands on his hips.
Anything could snatch them.