A Seasonal Love Poem

lace caps are a type of hydrangea with very delicate lace like blooms

In my garden you will find

the final fling of summer wine,

as weak and hazy sun bleeds through.

Damsons drop to stain the path.

Close by a birdbath overspills,

a thrush drinks slowly, takes its fill.

Purple heathers have replaced

that space where lace-caps caught the sun,

where now a spider's web is spun.

A finer spread you will not see

of drooping headed fuschia bells,

that tumble freely from their beds.

But when I see the cherry tree,

whose leaves have parted company,

to flirt with those of ochre hue,

with fondness I remember you.

Reviews

[Ruth]

This is such a wonderful, vivid poem. It is a sheer delight to read this this morning :) The summer has its own magic, leaves its own magic behind also - made me think on those autumnal cobwebs on the lesser warm days...stunning in its visuals :) Be well dear Chris :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for leaving such a lovely review Ruth. All OK with me and I hope the same for you dear poet. Always good to have a visit from you.

Chris

[red93]

Ooh nice one Chris - 'Emotion recollected in tranquility' was one of Wordsworth's definitions of Poetry - how lovely is Love remembered if you still have good memories of 'The Loved One'.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. Happy to have nice memories on this occasion. Pleased you stopped by to leave a lovely review. Have a good start to the week.

Chris

[red93]

'But thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings, / That then I scorn to change my state with Kings.'

[Chris Shaw]

Now that has got to be the Bard himself :)

[red93]

Correct - and I'll give you a figurative Bonus Point for the Number of the Sonnet :)

[Chris Shaw]

Now I will have to do some research:)

[Dylan Macadham]

Hi Chris, this is my favorite, so far ...
a beautiful blending of three things I think come close to the center of you,
nurturing your garden, ever-searching of the perfect phrase, a wistful appreciation of Moments past.
... always ringing genuine :)
Dylan

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Dylan. I am at my most content when pottering around my garden. Pleased this read is a fav if yours. Genuine is a nice word. Sadly fake is all too common these days.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL after this summer fall feels pretty good dear Chris:) But to be fair, I have always loved fall most of all the seasons:) This was supposed to be the summer of freedom and release and it ended being the summer of heatwaves tropical storms and a new covid strain so I must admit to not stopping looking around and reflecting to enjoy the moments:/ My shortcoming and your gift of presence and thank goodness for that for you dear Chris:)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny, such a pain when things don't go to plan. Even worse when we don't get what we want. So pleased you stopped by to review. Keep well and happy.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

Many lovely images within this
colorful and cheerful garden poem
filled to capacity with life so beautifully
expressed in poetic verse..

nice work

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran for your continued support. All the best to you.

Chris

[Anuja Sharma]

I always love you choice of words Chris, thoughts about nature. Your words makes it more beautiful and engaging. The last stanza is so touching. Really loved it from my heart.
Such a nice read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Anu for stopping by and leaving a lovely review.

Chris

[Anuja Sharma]

You're most welcome. ☺

[Betty Hermelee]

Such wonderful memories of summer’s close, where flowers show their droopy close
But we keep in mind their flirty colors even after summer’ end and that cherry tree will stand erect through thick and thin…lots of fine imagery here Chris, I can see it in my mind’s eye
Thanks for sharing!
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty for your lovely review. You are appreciated. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

a pleasure Chris, you're very welcome
Best, B.

[barleygirl]

Your descriptions of textures is amazing. Most people focus on colors, but I love how you bring this earthy richness that includes textures, too. Your description of the lacy hydrangea is great. Too hot & dry here for hydrangeas, so I'll just have to peek over your fence a bit (((HUGS)))

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for noticing the textures in my garden poem Margie. An older poem out for an airing. My garden will always be a bit of a sanctuary to me. It's a place I can find peace and tranquility while being close to nature. Now that is something we both have in common :)

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

This so speaks to my heart as I love gardens. I actually watched my mother-in-law work in the yard today. She was trimming plants.
You have a lovely write here.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Melinda. My garden is a special haven for me. Really appreciate you stopping by.
read moreThank you Melinda. My garden is a special haven for me. Really appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Eilis]

A lovely, descriptive poem, Chris. I like your garden poems a lot because I feel transported into that space with the details you offer. The late summer-early autumn garden here is not a place of death but a place where one thing of beauty replaces another and we learn that there will continually be something to draw us in if we are curious and aware. You have the poet’s eye that sees the soul in things and translates in a way that touches your readers. And then at the end you remind us of the entwined human element. How the things we see and experience are rarely experienced in isolation but connected back to something else. Sight, sound, scent—all the sensory elements that make the past more than a time that is gone. It becomes, for better or worse, a place we return to. Your poem evokes this so well.

[Chris Shaw]

Eilis your review is so encouraging. Pleased you like my garden poems. My garden is a sanctuary of peace and quiet. Lovely to sit and have a cup of tea there on summer afternoons amid all the colour. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris