Happy Friday. It has been a crazy busy time here, and I've missed several Fridays. Alas! I must make amends. And so, just to get my foot back in the door, I am posting some blooms from my garden, and some poetry to go with them. Enjoy.
The poem I've chosen for this iris speaks to me of the May garden, which blooms gloriously and then is gone. I wait all year for this...
Snow Geese
by Mary Oliver
Oh, to love what is lovely, and will not last!
What a task
to ask
of anything, or anyone,
yet it is ours,
and not by the century or the year, but by the hours.
Read the rest of Snow Geese HERE.
The peonies too, unfold their tight fists now with such elegance. Another of Mary Oliver's poems reminds me of this peony, her poem titled Swan, which speaks of "a perfect commotion of silk and linen." You can read it HERE.
The peonies seem to demand some Japanese poetry... three haikus:
a rice bowl
filled to the brim
one peony
~ Buson
filled to the brim
one peony
~ Buson
Dear, dear,
What a fat, happy face it has,
This peony!
– Issa
a bee
staggers out
of the peony
~Basho
My garden is doing well so far. I have hopes of peas soon, and salad turnips. More poems in the offing.
Poetry Friday is hosted this week by Patricia Franz at Reverie. Don't miss her celebration of 40 years of marriage which includes a Doobie Brothers poem. Thanks, Patricia!
