Salome's Garden

(Secret notes to Salome Alt from Wolfe Dietrich von Raitenau,

smuggled from prison in 1612)


I

If we could have measured

The length of our time on earth

Before we began the journey

I would have hoped

for golden days

alone, in the garden

with you.



II

Will Pegasus fly

When waxed begonias bloom in

Mirabell’s Garden?



III

Is our garden lush

Yellow marigolds touched by

Morning’s cool damp mist?



IV

Do our marble stairs

Come to life during the night

When the putti dance?



V

The ongerie waits

Near the end of the garden

Hidden, out of view.



VI

The scent of roses

Permeated my cell tonight

Just before twilight.



VII

Salome and Wolfe

Danced down pink marble stairs while

Hot candles flickered.



VIII

Lions guard our stairs

To the secret garden path

Where the dwarfs carouse.



IX

Raphael Donner

Created putti to frolic

On pink marble crests.



X

I miss your soft touch

Long to be near you at the

End of my journey.



XI

You are the crown jewel

In the snow that melts away

Everything I touch.



XII

When our garden fades

Icy frost covers windows

I will remember you.



XIII

Our children will dance

In gardens we created from

                    Imagination.



Copyright © Lynda Lambert

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