Blog

Friday, May 18, 2012

In the Garden

There's an old hymn I love. The first line says, "I come to the garden alone when the dew is still on the roses." I love that old song. I love gardens. It's been a long weary week (but with some bright spots along the way) and I have need of my garden. I have a deadline to meet and a magazine to proof and I can't get my mind to be still long enough to sleep. Tomorrow I think I'll plant zinnias. And maybe I'll sit in the swing and listen to the creek slip by. 

Wishing you a garden moment in your busy week, too. 

After Three Years
by Paul Verlaine

I pushed the gate that swung so silently,
And I was in the garden and aware
Of early daylight on the flowers there
And cups of dew sun-kindled. I could see
Nothing was changed from what it used to be.
There was the wild-vine arbor, the old chair
The fountain singing silvery in air
The eternal sigh of the old aspen-tree.

And still the rose is fluttering; as before
The tall, proud lily sways in the warm breeze;
I know the very larks that sink or soar;
And even the statue, frail amid her trees,
With plaster crumbling on the grassy floor,
Shines amid shadows of dead fragrancies.

translated by W. Thorley, 1866


Katya at Write, Sketch, Repeat hosts the roundup today.

11 comments:

  1. Beautiful poem and picture, Doraine - here's hoping you have a moment to "stop and smell the roses" as you sally forth to meet your deadlines!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So glad I stopped by to appreciate this lovely moment in a busy day -- wonderful poem and photo, Doraine. I feel refreshed and renewed! And I love that hymn, too. Used to play it on the piano while my father sang.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like a good memory, playing piano for your dad to sing. Refreshing in itself.

      Delete
  3. I was a French major, so I looked up the original French. I don't think I've ever read this poem before. Thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I took some French in college, but that was a long time ago. I'd love to know if it read similar to the translation I had. I found one other that I didn't like nearly as much.

      Delete
  4. Oh, I saw your post on FB, Doraine so I zipped over--and there was that song reminding me of my mom, singing in the kitchen and washing dishes. (My mom just celebrated her 87th birthday!)

    Loved the poem, and love that pic. Makes me want to get out in my yard (or at least get a Junior Hall to get out there and spray the poison ivy.) :-)

    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah, another lovely memory. Isn't it amazing how a song can take you back to those sweet moments? I hope you get somebody to deal with the poison ivy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Zinnias took me right back to my mom and our childhood gardens! I think I'll plant some this weekend, too, even though I "don't" have any time. And snapdragons.

    There. You made me happy! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope your garden grows lots of blooms to go with your memories of you and your mom.

      Delete
  7. Yes to zinnias! I am planting those and cosmos and columbine this year. Wishing you many long moments in your garden!

    ReplyDelete