In the garden

in the garden
blessed are the flowers
the herbs, vegetables & bees
the cut basil and mint
the sturdy knotty beams
with telling deep wrinkles
like a man that has seen it all
I tied rope around them
to drag them into place
it took an entire day
I sit on those beams now
and tend to the garden
the children run along them
like bridges, to secret places
adventures only they know
the butterflies and bees
have lengthy discussions
probably about pollen and
flowery garden-y things
while littlies fill their boots
the boundary palm with
it’s humongous afro
a nest for the squabble of birds
that beckon us every morning
we really did need
that rain two weeks ago
now dispersed into hues of blue
the corner of the garden
stretches into the stony path
a glade of melia & magnolia
scented with ripe papaya &
mango perfume, hints of salt
I sit here and think of
the people I’ve loved
returned to the earth
in the garden.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Your garden must be a haven for you. Izzy. Mine is and like you I find much joy in my aromatic herbs, shrubs, bulbs in spring and summer bedding plants. The butterflies and bees are an added bonus. I sense you find peace, calm and quiet reflection in your space, while at the same time it being a place of play for your children. Worth all the hard work in my opinion. Your lines, a delight and choc full of imagery. My senses are stimulated, sight, sound, smell and touch. It is so good to have you back.

Chris

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Chris, Mahalo for your kind words. You’re right about the garden being a special space for me. I find much peace there and I love getting my hands in the dirt I enjoy sharing this love with the kids. I love that we eat the food we grow it’s the best feeling! Many Mahalo

[Chris Shaw]

Take care of you and your little ones. Lovely to hear from you :)

[emmajoy]

' we really did need ~ that rain two weeks ago ~ now dispersed into hues of blue ~ the corner of the garden ~ stretches into the stony path ~ a glade of melia & magnolia ~ scented with ripe papaya & ~
mango perfume, hints of salt ~ I sit here and think of ~ the people I’ve loved ~ returned to the earth ~
in the garden. '

Perfection for this landscapist.. perfect for the All About lover who potters and wonders with her wee darlings in a place when all things are equal, beautiful and in their own way,.. endless. Izzy, I feel this poem and its infinite beauty. As real as words with a beating heart.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Your garden sounds like heaven dear ohana, with your "littlies" running along your painstakingly hand-made bridge of beams like a bridge of dreams connected to loved ones. Your lovely, detailed, animated imagery of whimsical flora and fauna literally jump off the page and appeal to all of our senses. Again, you take us with you into a secret power-place of refuge that sustains your life, literally and figuratively... I am a new gardener since Covid, and my own basil, scallions, aloe, mint, hibiscus and palms seem to link with your own in a theme of core connection. Pebbles and I sit in our patio garden every day and commune with each other and the plants- we find total peace and serenity in the midst of chaos. You have written a perfect poetic-garden here blooming with love and life and remembrance.
"I sit here and think of
the people I’ve loved
returned to the earth
in the garden." .......... Welcome back to grace us with your gift Izzy.... and Amen. xo

[barleygirl]

As a disabled person isolated in the wilderness, gardening brightens my life year-round & I always yearn to write a great gardening poem, but here you've done what I can never do! I love how much liveliness & personality you give to the garden experience. I forgot about when I was little & crawled around checking out garden surprises nose-to-nose. I'm glad you're posting new writing cuz I've missed reading you! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie