Nigel Lawrence

Lenin in the Garden of Love

He has been here all day
Just walking up and down our brick path,
Running his hand over the hollyhocks,
Wrinkling his nose as he passes the honeysuckle,
Then looking deep into the shaded pond
To observe the wink and twist of newts.

There is pollen from the lilies
On his coat and boots.

In his head he studies railway timetables,
While on the fence
A robin ticks like a Geiger counter.

Nigel Lawrence received a commendation in National Poetry Competition 2001. He lives in London.