Lush flora, bathing Eden’s morning air in a delicate aromal song. Dafodils, rhododendrums, a kaleidescope of perennials and annuals: a blissful variety tantalizing sight and smell alike! And yet amidst perfection, an offered temptation to take what is not given. A temptation yielded to, with that all too familiar sense of entitlement, that pride, urging an outstretched hand, “seize!” A shame-filled flight from a primordial garden, lost for all time.

winter frost

the sudden hardness

of the ground

A dry, desolate landscape. The foul stench of burning refuse, sweat and unscented body odor. Raucious taunts and kurt shouts, as a treo of men slowly asfyxiate on Roman-erected crosses. And yet, amidst condemnation, outstretched arms give what cannot be taken. A promise fulfilled, with an all-to-unfamiliar humility, urging those outstretched hands, “give!” A spice-aroma, lovingly wrapped corpse laid in a fresh tomb amidst a new garden, a floral oasis amidst the encroaching, Mediterrenean semi-aridness.

Spring thaw

the returning softness

of the Earth

A fresh garden, with tomatoes, eggplant, romain lettuce; with an abundance of flowers. Soaking in the summer sunlight and frequent rain. Besieged by the opportunistic woodchuck and ever-daring squirrels. How she loves her growing plants; how she rues the rodent incursions! Oh, her heart, open to the give-and-take of life, a survivor of its storms and winters. Ready, as ever, to sow the seeds and nurture the seasonal growth anew.

Summer warmth

the dynamic soil

approaching Fall

dVerse Poets Pub celebrates continues its 10th Anniversary, with co-founder Claudia Schoenfeld hosting Tuesday Poetics today! We’re writing about gardens: The Pub is open! Come join us!