(for Dennis Freese)

An afternoon in March
but felt like May
We sat together in the shade
of the bamboos
The fig trees budding
but not yet leafed out
The hens all settled down
back in their run
No breeze to break the silence
of the day
No need to speak
but after a brief pause
I said this is as much
of paradise
As one can hope to find
such a sweet peace
Pervades this place
and you replied not so
I look around - you said -
and everywhere
I see so much that needs
attending to
And to myself I thought
so even here
In paradise we're haunted
by the ghost
Of our unfinished labors
if not here
Where else will we find
respite for our souls
And so we sat
a moment or two more
Then headed back
and through the kitchen door