The Garden

 THE GARDEN by Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) (excerpts) One of the foremost Puritan poets he sympathized with Charles I. Marvell's father was a minister, and a relative introduced him to the great poet Milton who gave him an estate. "The Garden" made him famous. It was hailed as one of the most expressive nature poems ever written. Well worth reading in its entirety, since these are only snippets of the poem.

 How vainly men themselves amaze  while all flowers and trees do close to weave the garlands of repose....

 Fair quiet, have I found thee here. 

 No white nor red was ever seen so amorous as this lovely green.

 What wondrous life is this I lead, ripe apples drop about my head, the luscious clusters of the vine.

 The nectarine and curious peach, into my hands themselves do reach.

 Stumbling on melons, as I pass, insnared with flowers, I fall on grass.

 The mind, that ocean where each kind does straight its own resemblance find

 Yet it creates, transcending these, far other worlds, and other seas.

 My soul into the boughs does glide, there like a bird it sits and sings.

 And till prepared for longer flight, waves in its plumes the various light.

 Such was that happy garden-state, after a place to pure and sweet.

 But twas beyond a mortal's share to wander solitary there, to wander solitary there:

 Two paradises t'were in one, to live in Paradise alone.

 How well the skillful gardener drew of flowers , and herbs. How could such sweet and wholesome hours be reckoned but with herbs and flowers.

 ("The Garden" by Andrew Marvell from "A Treasury of Great Poems" (1942) Simon and Schuster) One of my mother's favourite poetry books and has her signature on the inside cover.

Spencer and Smokey cat trail

Photographs 2018