IN THE PUBLIC GARDENS

First light over Moscow,
Paris and cooling Jerusalem
of winter's life's
which has known shadows
of death and distress
sowing future gardens
transforming seed
will for spring pilgrimages
open its garden gates
seeking an ageless pardon
when the first bird
on laurel or statue of angel
begins to sing its embraces
a poet is heard in Russian
French and in the language
of the wise sages
tender words along branches
fulfilled in belonging to you.