Surrealist Gardens (1-6) Poem by Zachary Zuccaro

Surrealist Garden # 1

A circle of chantrelles
circumscribing a smaller circle
of purple coral mushrooms
at the center of which
grows a Destroying Angel.


Surrealist Garden #2

A stalk of asparagus, two heads of broccoli,
and twelve plants of brussell sprouts
grow around the moss-covered
gelatinous bird bath.


Surrealist Garden # 3

A pineapple plant
sprouts at the center of a cross
formed by a row of pines
perpendicularly intersecting a column
of apple trees.


Surrealist Garden # 4

Little artichokes
hang from the fig trees.
An owl perches on top
of a pepper plant,
a colony of ants
makes its residence
under a palm tree.


Surrealist Garden # 5

A bird flies into a garden in fall,
sheds its feathers and takes root.
At the onset of winter buds form
and by spring the tree is in full bloom.
On the first day of summer,
the Japanese maple is barren of leaves.
Feathers regenerate and the tree flies away
only to return as a bird the next day.


Surrealist Garden # 6

A lemon splits to reveal
a lemon tree beneath which
a colony of ants
cares for its garden of mushrooms.