Festooned at our side door

Festooned at our side door
each summer’s morning
is laid out
fifteen meters square,
a carpet of Bougainvillea
petals
in the colours of modern
Austria;
blown across
neighbours’ fences
in the night.

The night sea breeze
carries red petals in,
swirls and pushes them
across the patio.
Then in the early morning watch
the desert foehn flows
down the hills,
combs the white
and deposits them at door.

Most days I try
to leave them there
some hours,
a pleasure for the eye.
Some laziness involved in this,
but mainly I just prefer
to see the bare concrete dressed
and softened
by this floral carpet
left for me
by cooling winds
each night.

And being of
a practical turn,
I also thank my neighbours,
for when the petals
are swept up
I add them to
the compost heap,
future flowers blessing.



James Gagiikwe © 2008