Shattered Gardens

Inspired by the poem “Shattered Gardens” by Deborah Cooper.

This came to be as part of the artistic collaboration “Noteworthy” put on by Lake Superior Writers. Local songwriters selected a poem by a local poet to use as songwriting inspiration. Both poems and songs were then performed at the culminating event. Lake Superior Writers supports the artistic development of writers and fosters a vibrant literary arts community.

Sitting in the garden chair
Bits of bird song fill the air Singing songs of here and there And everywhere

Here, a soft breeze
Rustling through the maple trees Leafy, living canopy
Spread over me

And the morning dew
Strewn upon the grass like jewels Sparkling in a brilliant hue
The morning dew

Here, there, across the square A mother lights a candle

somewhere
Here, there, over the seas
A father falls upon his knees

Here, there, across the square Bits of bird song fill the air
In gardens scattered everywhere Everywhere

There, a soldier boy lays down Restless ‘til the morn comes ‘round Gun held tightly in his arms
The young boys arms

Once held a little doll that way To keep the bad dreams far away Keep the bad dreams far away The boy would pray

A flash of fire across the square Bits of bomb-shells fill the air Shattered gardens everywhere Everywhere

Here, there, across the square A mother lights a candle

somewhere
Here, there, over the seas
A father falls upon his knees

Here, there, across the square Bits of bird song fill the air
In shattered gardens everywhere

Everywhere