The garden

I open the gate
slowly and with anticipation.
(Ah, that portal through which we cross
and leave the old, dusty world
of traffic and noisy senselessnees)
And I enter a place serene
and bright with sunlight and flowers.

A gravel path weaves around
beds of vinca and tall blue hydrangea
Surrounded by Savannah holly
and myrtle trees and rose bushes
until I come to the purest,
sweetest-soundng little fountain
in a fish pond
with lily pads and goldfish;
and the fountain sounds like a little creek
one chances upon in the woods

I sit awhile and listen
still, wind rustling hackberry trees,
and the fountain murmurs into the tiny pond,
guarded by angels and lions.
And then I see the bright orange flash
and flowing fins of the fish
gracefully darting among water plants.

A garden is the kindest place of refuge
where the patches of grass are gold-green
and zinnias flourish in a sea of colors.
In the garden, time stands still.
There is no sense of its passage at all, in fact.
I see only paths and statuary and overhanging trees
I see the magnolia blossom into pure white
with the freshest, purely clean and wondrous fragrance.
It rivals in memory the gardenia
which bloomed in May.

And in this sub-tropical Eden,
of memory and timelessness,
I can imagine a more perfect world
where the sun shines
and clouds sail overhead —
peaceful puffs of wandering gossamer,
vapors translucent
that chase their own shadows
over the ivy-covered walls that surround me
and keep the world at bay.

Charleston must be a lovely city. I’d like to visit sometime and see the old houses.

I was there with you in that lovely garden. And as often, I became relaxed and in peace. Thank you

A garden retreat, Sweetly step I there, Filled with peace and beauty, Described so fair, By a wonderous poet, With a perceptive soul. Beautiful. Oswego.

*Sigh*My lunch hour is almost over. This poem can be my desert!

Most beautifully expressed Oswego. Thank you for sharing 🙂

As always, very calming.I can see the gate and fish.

now that is ……~poetry~

Thank you for that. A little spot of serenity in my evening. So beautiful.

Willy & Wilma

August 22, 2000

A beautiful garden like this is good to visit and spend time in peace and quiet just meditating

Thank you

Happy anniversary my friend!! Today 1 year since you started write at OD!

I am there. 🙂 Beautifully desciptive and calming entry, Oswego* I will give you that those southern, walled, mature gardens may be the sweetest* 🙂

Terrific.

Bramble

August 23, 2000

Nothing so wonderful as a garden to soothe the soul.

adrift

Through the garden gate, I walk And such wondrous beauty I see An enchanting land of Nature’s thoughts That inspire peaceful serenity~

You have enriched my morning with this beautiful painting that your words have painted. With your permission, I’d like to copy this & put it in my book of “Favorite Things” ~ Exquisite, my friend! *smile*

Thank You.. My Family has a lifetime subscription to National Geographic dating back to the 1950’s. By the way, about the “told to think” thing, you are of course right.

As I constantly lament, I tend to lose my tenuous grip on objectivity when I get emotional..

Sounds like just the place I would like to settle in with a good book.

Peacaful.. I hope I go there in my dreams. Blessed Be!!!

peaceful, very peaceful.

I suddenly feel deeply inspired to change my name to “TallBlueHydrangea” – ! Lovely entry, just lovely.

sounds great- i love to go to magnolia or middleton gardens to just sit and enjoy!

Edelweis

April 14, 2002

There is no better entry to end a day and dream away in a peaceful night…with images of a heavenly garden like you pictured yours. So beautiful, “the kindest place of refuge” … Good night, take care :o)