Landscape Gardening

[hallaig]

Landscape Gardening


See the spilled branches with their
desperate arms full of blossom
and the posthole where the trellis was
and the space where the sand pit was
and the tumulus where the cat was
and the rusting garden chair left out
when last summer turned
to winter quick as a dog’s neck.
In fact, haven’t all our battles
ended in gentle defeat?
Never mind, the years will wipe us
clean like babies with our nonsense,
and all the tears shed
will be nothing before rain clouds
fresh and cold off the hills.

[Jack of Hearts]

It's visceral, it's brief and it expresses a kind of awareness that is only half sweet. What's not to like, 'aig.





J

[Catamite]

This is really lovely. I think the first two lines especially are a great image of efflorescence; as are the other lines simple and evocative. But l love most how you told the story of this poem with the after effects rather than the action - really enjoyable.

[Hawkman]

I love the images and the subtext, although there are too many ands and was's for my taste, but this is probably just me. "Quick as a dog's neck" is quite an intriguing concept, most dogs I know are getting on a bit and are a bit stiff - lol. I can't tell if you are saying it was fast or slow, which is kind of cool. I would suggest moving the line break to after winter though, it kind of feels like a more natural place for it.

Lovely, calming, reflective tone, hallaig.

Live and be well - H