for the summer

Inspired by the phrase ‘You tell me that the peonies need spraying’, from the poem ‘Madonna of the Evening Flowers’ written by Amy Lowell. This now comprises a part of The Linkages Project

and now
with the spring behind us
and the summer
in full bloom
you tell me
of the peonies

their need
for spraying

if the garden
is to last
through the heat
and the pretties
look their best
we must attend them

through every season
we must tend
these things
that
we so love

spraying

snipping

touching

and sniffing

there is joy
in this

joy that comes
from your hand
and mine
tilling with our fingers

turning
with implements

working quietly
and
side by side

to make the ground
ready

as we
ourselves
are ready

and to watch over
as the green tips
rise
and buds
become

petals
unfurl
to flash their colours

so briefly

so lovely

and now you tell me
of the peonies
and their need

we will go
you and I
to attend them

to help them
boom
a little longer

a little more
beautiful

all through
the summer

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