This take me back to my childhood in the 70's playing and 'being' in on the 'rec' as we called it at the back of my parents house in Warwickshire. Looking back now it feeling like there were endless summer days seeing my mum put the persil white washing on the line and me getting my jar ready for another butterfly hunt with my little blue fishing net! I spent hours alone connecting with the gardens and my nature spaces, the flowers seemed to talk to me and the grass was chewed and the stream was fun to play in until the street lights came on and it was time to go back to rules and school and mum and dad's ideals xxx thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of magic xx
Beautiful Alison. Reading it reminded me of my summer holidays spent in the countryside at my grandparents’ house. So many memories. My grandfather’s roses garden of which he was so proud. Each variety more beautiful and more scent full than the next! My grandmother’s vegetable and aromatic plants! Picking up berries in the fields, eating them on the way home, making jam. The smell of freshly baked bread by my grandmother. Walking in the park with my grandfather: darling, next summer I will explain to you why these trees are called “evergreen”. He never did! He died during the winter. I was 11! This is probably where I got my love for nature and plants, from the garden, fields, of my infancy and from the love of my grandparents! I can remember those days as if they were yesterday!
This resonated with me.. the garden as a place of solace and magic .. the long days of our summer memories… the garden as a witness for your changing self. I love the reverence of your last lines too. A lovely evocative piece x
I love this Alison, so rich with physicality and vivid memories 🙂
It makes me realise that in my childhood memories it is mostly summer too!
Thank you 🙏
Thank you. In Summer things are more vividly felt, perhaps. And more time outside!!!
This take me back to my childhood in the 70's playing and 'being' in on the 'rec' as we called it at the back of my parents house in Warwickshire. Looking back now it feeling like there were endless summer days seeing my mum put the persil white washing on the line and me getting my jar ready for another butterfly hunt with my little blue fishing net! I spent hours alone connecting with the gardens and my nature spaces, the flowers seemed to talk to me and the grass was chewed and the stream was fun to play in until the street lights came on and it was time to go back to rules and school and mum and dad's ideals xxx thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of magic xx
Ah thank you and I am glad it brough up a piece of wild magic for you too!
Beautiful Alison. Reading it reminded me of my summer holidays spent in the countryside at my grandparents’ house. So many memories. My grandfather’s roses garden of which he was so proud. Each variety more beautiful and more scent full than the next! My grandmother’s vegetable and aromatic plants! Picking up berries in the fields, eating them on the way home, making jam. The smell of freshly baked bread by my grandmother. Walking in the park with my grandfather: darling, next summer I will explain to you why these trees are called “evergreen”. He never did! He died during the winter. I was 11! This is probably where I got my love for nature and plants, from the garden, fields, of my infancy and from the love of my grandparents! I can remember those days as if they were yesterday!
Oh that is so beautiful, and I felt the words of your grandfather.
I loved reading this, Alison. It really pulled me back to my childhood. The garden was my sanctuary too.
Your memories cascade so beautifully in list form.
X
A garden is such a wonderful thing.
This resonated with me.. the garden as a place of solace and magic .. the long days of our summer memories… the garden as a witness for your changing self. I love the reverence of your last lines too. A lovely evocative piece x
Thank you for reading and I am glad it vibed with you.
The richness of your poetry paints a full sensory experience thank you for sharing 🥰