The poem tells the story of a man who built walls around his heart after experiencing past pain in love. Over time, weeds and thorns grew within these walls, caging his heart. However, a thief is allowed through a hidden gate by the master gardener. The thief tears down the man's walls, freeing his heart. Where the walls once stood is now an open garden with a fountain, surrounded by a clear glass wall to protect it but allow others to see within. The gate is watched over by the master gardener, who will allow others in when the time is right.

1. “ the master gardener”
by Rick Spooner 8/25/09

2. I built a dream, from the embers of past pain;
a dream of being loved, holding a Child of
my name. Every waking moment I basked in
the warmth of the hope of finding true
Love.

3. Then Bitter tears forced surrender of
compassion from the sun.
About my walls a stalwart army then Lay,
An Emotionless troop, determined to stay.
With vengeful passion, they set up their
camps.
Protecting me, daring pain my way to tramp

4. Resolutely, I determined that I would never be,
an open heart where love could e’r be seen
My heart would be an enclosed Garden.
With strong walls, built of iron and clay

5. I now lay safe with my army, as strong
walls guarded the way. Yet With time weeds came to
grow, as angry thorns sprouted, Laughed, then played.
Still the master gardener knew of a certainty that the
garden would die if left untended this day.

6. Thus he allowed within, a
thief, through a hidden gate. The thief
now at home camping near to the
fountain I had hidden to keep safe,
Often from its cool water the thief
came to drink, yet as time passed, the
thief came to see,
the walls as a prison needing to break
free

7. Thus with hammer in hand to my walls the thief ran,
Striking with glee, my walls left a burning shambles,
my army in the wake,
my heart then unshackled
Free to whomever might care come to stay
The master then smiled all was now well,
Without Strong walls made bitter by clay.

8. Once more my heart now a
garden, a place of beauty
and grace
Where flowers grace
pathways where birds love
to play,
In the center, a fountain
stands open today,
A fountain once hidden bids
others it’s way.

9. The walls that once hid me
now only crumbled bits of
clay.
Death no longer dwells here
no shadows hide the day.
I thought myself now open
endangered by all
Afraid with no bulwark to
hold back my fall
But then my eyes opened
amazed by what I saw,

10. A beautiful new wall
surrounded what lays in
defeat
A wall with no shadow to
hinder or grieve
A wall, clear like glass, so
others could see,
The garden unhindered by
bitter defeat.
This wall made by love with
wisdom and grace.

11. The gate is my master,
protecting the way,
and only those enter he brings
my way.
He knows I am lonely, his
plans only he can say,
In my spirit I am seeing one
enter the gate,
One he has let enter, I know not
what to say,
I must now make ready we may
meet today.

12.  Photos by Microsoft
 poem by Rick Spooner(8/25/09)
music written and recorded by Rick Spooner
1996
PP presentation created 10/25/12