Verandah Poem by Suzanne Hayasaki

Sit with me in the summer sun
On a morning that has just begun.
Sip Indian tea from a China cup.
Listen to the city as it's waking up.

Here above the jumbled clutter
Here below this pristine sky
I've carved out a tiny garden,
A private place for us to hide.

Here we can sit together.
Here we can be alone.
Here we can steal some serenity
Before the world calls us both home.

Sit in this moment and listen
As bees buzz around the flowers
And songbirds sing unseen
Oblivious to the ticking of minutes
That seems to pull at your sleeve.

Distracting you from this happiness
Stealing you away from this bliss.
Reminding you of your other life
With deadlines, wife and bills.

Go, then if you must.
Leave your tea and toast untouched.
Find your own way to the door.
I won't make a fuss.

But if you ring my bell again
And no one comes to answer
Do not be surprised if you hear within
The sound of another man's laughter.