A Promise in My Garden

The promise of Spring hangs heavy in the air.

Come away with me for a meander through the fields
Before the forecast storm flies over the mountain,
Bathing some in rain, blanketing others in snow,

Reminding all that winter remains our host a bit longer.

My garden beckons with early-rising posies.

Daffodils pop up here and there
according to the whim of my trowel,

Laced with a generous dotting of grape hyacinth.

Some camellias swell with soon-to-be splendor,

Whilst others dance merrily in fully-ruffled regalia.

This gem, "Nuccio's Pearl," sways shyly in the shadows.

Clematis leaves peek from behind tangles of last-summer's vining,

While the tea olive whispers of heady fragrance to come.

The rich ruby eyes of the peony, a summertime star, flutter awake

And another outcropping of daffs cheer on the emerging iris.

Miss Rosemary sings year round in my temperate clime,

But Miss Malus Floribunda

Must rest and restore her florid abundance,

Which earns her the title of Garden Diva.

When this luscious crabapple bursts into bloom

She steals the springtime spotlight.

The gentle blossoms of my flowering apricot dance

Against the emerald evergreens and sapphire-blue sky.

Oh look! The queen of the garden awakes,

Stretching ruby new growth in the warmth of the day.

What's this?

Yet ANOTHER blossom crowns Miss Mardi Gras?

Does this girl ever tire?

As she has only been in residence since last spring,

Dare I hope she will dance

Throughout each forthcoming year,

Without pause,

As she has done this calendar past?

YES! I dare hope!

Upon the deck, snuggled close to the house,

I espy last year's clan of pelargonium.

Celebrating with summer's fire in their hearts,

Strong stems rise up in defiance of Winter --
Empowered by the fortress of home.

Let's pause for a moment on our gentle journey

And enjoy the quietness.

All too soon the boughs will host feathered family reunions,

Each shrub and stem crying out for notice,

With the trees offering percussion to the full-bodied season.

Summer will arrive all too swiftly

Carrying away this peaceful waking moment.

So for today I shall sit and enjoy the quietude

Of a single dancing daffodil,

A gentle waft of hyacinth on the breeze,

And the Promise of Spring.

Won't you join me?

* * * * *

Written in March


THE cock is crowing,
The stream is flowing,
The small birds twitter,
The lake doth glitter
The green field sleeps in the sun;
The oldest and youngest
Are at work with the strongest;
The cattle are grazing,
Their heads never raising;
There are forty feeding like one!

Like an army defeated
The snow hath retreated,
And now doth fare ill
On the top of the bare hill;
The plowboy is whooping- anon-anon:
There's joy in the mountains;
There's life in the fountains;
Small clouds are sailing,
Blue sky prevailing;
The rain is over and gone!


~~ William Wordsworth ~~