Hi God
by Angela Lansbury
"Does God exist in gardens, Gran?
Looks like the devil's out there, too
If you like bites from mosquitos
Sorry to say I'm not with you!"
"Let's look around our garden, child
Then you'll be sure there is a God
"
Invite your friend to I take a look
Under a log; bulbs, worms in sod ..."
I pick a rose, scratched by a thorn
I dodge, we see a honey bee
Pick blackberries, dress stained and torn
A bee, or wasp, starts chasing me ...
We try to hide behind a tree
I move a plant pot, ear wig, louse
It doesn't even take a snake
Slugs drive us back into the house
I try to smile and not to sigh
"It's sunny, phone the family
Try to be good, don't make a fuss."
"When we die what eats you and me?"
When health and safety call on us
They check for mice, mosquitos, rats
Bugs live outside, must look for holes
Roaches invade kitchens of flats
I sometimes think I should desist
I would not want to lose a friend
An agnostic or atheist
Can see both sides and round life's bend
If firm belief secures one's fate
Grandchild's debate makes blood run cold
It's time to choose, not quite too late
Don't lose faith now,
Gran - you're too old!
My rose is pretty, its perfume
Would make believers of the blind
Yes, pinks, and blues brighten my room
But bee's buzz, greenfly, change my mind.
Angela Lansbury. Copyright Saturday, 6 May 2017.
Author's note
Pinks are the colour of roses but also the name of another kind of flower.
I started writing a poem about the mixed blessings of a garden. I changed the poem to one in which an atheist or agnostic grandma debates with a child. I added another verse and changed it again to the worried child trying to secure a place in Heaven for grandma.
About the author
Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5
The Author of several books, including Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.
Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
translateforfun.blogspot.com
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President
Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time.
Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;
Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;
Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.
More details from Toastmasters International find a club.
Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.
Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.
Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.
Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.
Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.
Language and speech workshops in Singapore.
Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.
Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.
Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.
Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.
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