Mother's Heart

Her white spireas carried bridal sprays,
And Japanese quince flaunted flaming hue;
Pink flowering almonds, with their gracious ways,
Greeted the mellowing sunshine anew.
Old-fashioned lilacs, adorned with mauve plumes,
Lured butterfly and small bee to full banquets there;
June roses mingled scent with rare perfumes
Of flowers vivid and shyly fair.
Petunias and bright-skirted hollyhocks,
The vari-colored moss, and golden glow
Were as welcomes as the gayly petaled phlox,
The zinnias, and the moon-pale mountain snow.
Our home was circled by a rich paradise
Because my mother's hart was garden-wise.

~ Thelma Allinder