The Lord God planted a garden
— In the first white days of the world,
And He set there an angel warden
— In a garment of light enfurled.

So near to the peace of Heaven,
— That the hawk might nest with the wren,
For there in the cool of the even
— God walked with the first of men.

And I dream that these garden-closes
— With their shade and their sun-flecked sod
And their lilies and bowers of roses,
— Were laid by the hand of God.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
— The song of the birds for mirth, —
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
— Than anywhere else on earth.