The benefits of casual gardening,
detailed in small passages –
Mystery squash,
casting tendrils toward the Burning bush,
abloom with ulterior motive.
The weed pail
filling,
before the work is done.
Rogue tomatoes,
erupting from loamy beds
and window baskets,
pushing aside rhubarb leaves.
Fireflies and ladybugs,
and slim-limbed mantises,
and beatific bees.
Queen Anne’s lace,
tatting the yard and
adorned in cabbage moths.
Patches of shade,
rotating about the house,
cool refuge from the sun’s eye.
Leeks’ heads
nodding heavy crowns;
bindweed
twining and trumpeting
Lady’s thumbs,
tickling catmint;
Black eyed Susans
studying Swiss chard.
The small yard
taking shape under
Nature’s guiding hand.
Near-motionless rabbits
nibbling sweet clover;
quick chipmunks
excavating neat holes
beneath tonic lavender;
and everywhere,
everywhere,
the stir and song
of birds.
— C.Birde, 7/17
“Squash Among the Tomatoes” — C.Birde, 7/16
Lovely.
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Thank you, Shawn. I suppose I took a casual approach to poetry this week…some spill over from my casual gardening 🙂
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I suppose that’s why I liked it. I, too, garden, and you captured the natural essence and sense of ceremony that one feels quite effectively. So, let the spill over continue if it works like this!
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i feel as if you guided me through the garden, pointing out all of the interesting plants and insects. it’s a refreshing walk that leaves a feeling of contentment, with just a touch of jealousy for not having written lines such as “slim-limbed mantises,/ and beatific bees”.
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Thank you, thank you — if you are not my biggest fan, you are arguably the most generous 🙂 I am pleased by your response, that you felt shepherded through the garden and introduced to some of its inhabitants. As always, I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
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you’re welcome. reading your work has been a great pleasure.
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There’s nothing more refreshing than being a casual gardener, I’m right there with you 😉
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You would not believe my tomato plants — completely bonkers! I put in five-foot stakes, and they have clambered all over the stakes and are lounging down their sides! And the butternut squash “volunteer” is like a giant squid — tentacles in all directions, 15 feet long!!!
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I love being a casual gardener it’s so therapeutic, I’m right there with you 😉
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