The Grand Design

A visit to the garden reveals the wheels of nature in the grand design.

I stuffed my feet into the muddy wellies

Hoping it was to be a dry, sunny day.

As I proceeded up the steps to the long slope

The wellies became a welcome friend,

For I found myself squelching through sticky mud,

Watching out for slippery rocks as I proceeded downhill

To the garden below that was awaiting me.

I stood for a moment on the perimeter, listening

And watching with a smile, as the new windmills did their job,

Whirling and spinning around in the beds,

Confusing any hopeful birds who were looking for a morning bite.

A friendly robin sat on the fence nearby,

Waiting to see if I had anything to share.

The glistening leaves provided a wonderful aroma of autumn.

The last of the summer flowers were displaying their beauty,

All competing for the early sun

That was beginning to poke through the clouds in a welcoming display.

The flowers were doing a grand job in being good companions

To the neighbouring vegetables that needed a helping hand,

Attracting busy insects that would gladly partake of the less welcome bugs.

The vegetables, many that had begun as pretty, tentative flowers

Slowly opening and preparing the way for the fruits that followed,

Were now heavy on the plants, revealing a bountiful harvest.

The beds that had been layered like lasagna, weeks before

Were now laden with the rewards of labour.

I remembered how those plants had begun as young seedlings,

Tentatively pushing their way up towards the light,

And gladly taking in the spring rain from heaven.

Like children, who had moved on up from the nursery into their new place

And were now hungry for the nutrients that ensured healthy growth.

Nettle tea had been their favourite and seaweed, lovingly gathered.

Some had preferred banana skins, saved from the compost heap.

The compost, a heap of layers, revealing the seasons.

Spring dandelions, buttercups and daisies that had carpeted the floor.

Summer cuttings of grass from the swinging scythe on the meadow

Autumnal leaves that had fallen to the earth from overhanging trees,

Ready to carry on in the cycle of life,

Spent and browning stems and branches from the harvesting

Of flowers, fruits, vegetables, anything that had had life

But now was ready to give it up,

Along with the discarded food that the kitchen relinquished,

Where they found a new purpose and together

With the input of thousands of busy, wriggling worms,

Would create rich, new, soil for the next season.

Soon the plants would be giving up their seeds

Letting them fall into the earth,

Where they will wait through the cold of winter

For the warmth of spring and new life once again.

Loading the wheelbarrow, I proceeded back up the slope

Marvelling at the grand design of nature

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

'I remembered how those plants had begun as young seedlings,
Tentatively pushing their way up towards the light,
And gladly taking in the spring rain from heaven.
Like children, who had moved on up from the nursery into their new place
And were now hungry for the nutrients that ensured healthy growth.
Nettle tea had been their favourite and seaweed, lovingly gathered.
Some had preferred banana skins, saved from the compost heap.'

You're a woman after my own heart and so finely offered and shared, Christine! You must love gardening and in return - pretty sure your garden loves you! Very much look forward to reading more of your posts; many thanks for sharing.

[Christine]

Yes the garden is a great place for inspiration, but I am still learning. Thank you for your comment.

[emmajoygreen]

My pleasure: I'm a garden designer!

[Samuel Dickens]

A grand design, indeed. This is such a lovely, soothing jaunt you take us on. For those of us who take joy in growing things, it is especially pleasing. If only everyone was a nurturer.

[Christine]

Thank you for your kind comment. You have discovered my secret of the joys of being outside in nature.