Gardenland
(After “Bloodland” by Brigids Grove)
Some say my world is too small.
The size of a deck,
a yard adjusting to each season’s
offerings:
Peas at the back,
Blue Potatoes at the front,
Onions, Radish, and Arugula
at work in between.
How can you learn everything you need to know
behind fences lined with arborvitae trees,
a sketchbook of sky,
a ground woven
with stones that bend
landscaper staples,
and the roots of
the Lenape Council Tree?
Violet covers the ground
and enters my dreams:
faded but left in 4 inch pots.
20 thoughts on "Gardenland"
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
“a sketchbook of sky” is so charming! Beautiful work
Thank you. I’m thankful for good inspiration.
Love the rhythm and truth in “Peas at the back,
Blue Potatoes at the front,
Onions, Radish, and Arugula
at work in between.”
They all do their best!
Especially if you can succession sow.
Another piece of art, Tabitha.
Thanks very much.
I’m glad I could “plant” this one here.
Beautiful poem with visuals that take me to past gardens and yards full violet carpeting the space. I can see the “Peas at the back” tall with delicate flowers gently nodding.
Thank you so much!
It’s a sanctuary.
I spotted my first pea the other day, too!
Love this, Tabitha. Your physical world may be small but your artistic one keeps expanding.
Appreciate that deeply.
It helps to always keep on the lookout for new ideas and styles.
And I can’t help myself.
The opening line just grabbed me and I was all in through the rest of the poem. So lovely!
Thanks! “Bloodland” has good bones!
I love the musicality of this poem. Reading it the first time told me I needed to read it a second time, but out loud!
a sketchbook of sky,
a ground woven
with stones that bend
landscaper staples,
I love the sensory detail in this poem. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you!
It was a lot of fun to put together, and written after a woman who leads a lot of ceremonies and prayers. Reading aloud is perfect.
I love the sense of contained sanctuary and resonate with it. A lot of beauty happens in “4 inch pots.”
Awww. It’s so true.
They were on my subconscious.
No room for a gnome then? Your poems are a lovely respite from the day! A plentiful and creative offering and so delicious. I also love the “sketchbook of sky.” Really enjoying your writing this year.
No gnome but I wouldn’t be against some cute mushrooms!
Your praise means I’m doing exactly what I love and hope to do with my words! Thank you.
I’m intrigued with the Lenape Council Tree… what sorts of things go on in the council? It seems your world is not so small, maybe just the size it needs to be to have a hand in all the things going on in it?
YES!! A shimmering, deep tranquil lake of an observation.
The Lenape Council Tree is a twist on the Ute Council Tree, which is a (now partially chopped down) landmark near where I grew up in Colorado.
Our back yard had a massive tree in it before the property was flipped and made available to us.
Not only are we deeply fortunate to own a lovely home, we are at turns fortunate (and at turns frustrated) to constantly encounter the roots of that grand tree when we dig into the earth.
We’re on Lenape land now. So I like to imagine this tree was around long enough to have been the Lenape Council Tree.
Calling it that helps me remember the important things. And yes, that our worlds are big enough for us to have our hand in them.
Love you.