Desire among the Snails

the snail desires
the greenest leaf
of the reddest rose
of the backyard garden

however at dawn
he turns right
rather than left
and slides south
rather than north

until he reaches
the shadowed park
across the street
where he nibbles
light green leaves
of yellow peonies

no longer hungry
he sleeps
within the bed
of the rich loam
of the well-cared
for public garden

and dreams
of the greenest leaf
of the reddest rose