by Richard Frisbie
Member since:
December 19, 2005

A Paean To My Garden

April 13, 2006 10:49 AM EDT (Updated: August 01, 2008 04:36 PM EDT)
views: 92 | rating: 10/10 (10 votes) | comments: 20

Pae'an -- n. Chant of thanksgiving for deliverance . . .

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d663/d845/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
I drink in the beauty of my garden.
Mornings, Irish coffee in hand, I greet the day
Brush the dew off the sleepy pansies
Threaten the scolding cardinal with a cat's justice
And pull the stray weed and errant plant
As I perfect the universe, my domain

I drink in the beauty of my garden.
A "noon balloon" of champagne on holidays,
Otherwise a carafe of white wine
Putting down the stemware to tie a vine
or stake a drooping flower
Before raising a toast to the gods of rain

I drink in the beauty of my garden.
A martini evening in twilight's glow
With fragrance from the evening flowers
Rivaling the heady aroma of gin and vermouth.
I bask in the fading light of a day's work well done,
as I plan the day all over again

apologies everyone - I couldn't help myself

Republished from an April '06 article here on Gather

Richard Frisbie, FOOD Correspondent:

BLOG - http://www.bloglines.com/blog/rfrisbie
Where some of my Gather work and other things, primarily about New York State, appears.

BOOKSTORE - Specializing in New York State books since 1959 www.hopefarm.com
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 20

Antoinette M. Apr 13, 2006, 11:02am EDT
No apology necessary. I feel exactly the same way about my garden. Hurricane Katrina consumed my garden and took it with her on her way North, leaving other people's trees and debris where my lovely garden used to be. Praise to the gods of Spring for the ability to plant beauty anew.
Richard Frisbie Apr 13, 2006, 11:52am EDT
Antoinette - I know what it means to lose a garden, but not with such total devastation. I am so sorry - BUT I'm glad you realized the renewal. Thanks for the kind words
Richard Frisbie Apr 13, 2006, 11:58am EDT
Zenith - you are TOO kind. There is a credibility factor here - but I'm glad the sentiment came through. Is that a piano and mic I see? Play and perform? Nice!
Skipster Too Apr 13, 2006, 1:46pm EDT
Nicely done: Does your "credibility factor" include using a hammock to nap away the consumed drinks?
I love the sentiment of the gardener's conceit (or, is it pathology) in perfecting the universe on a daily basis.
Richard Frisbie Apr 13, 2006, 1:58pm EDT
Anytime you want to thank me for a "perfect" universe, go right ahead.
I nap every day (in my mind) Sadly, between the gardening and the liberal use of mosquito repellent (you didn't think I was drinking, did you?) I have no time to rest. Thanks E.B.
Edward Nudelman Apr 13, 2006, 6:00pm EDT
Superb and rich. But where's the Bordeaux?
Kathryn E. Apr 14, 2006, 4:59am EDT
You had me at "Irish coffee in hand"...Beautiful images.
Cat Givens Apr 14, 2006, 7:44am EDT
Gorgeous. I share your love for garden. And drink! They go together well, no? This is a beautiful piece.
Faith H. Apr 14, 2006, 9:50am EDT
I wish I were in your garden now, it sounds heavenly. I'm still working on my little patch in the back.
Richard Frisbie Apr 14, 2006, 10:26am EDT
Thanks all! If I spent more time in my garden working and less imbibing - and far less writing about it - (do I hear cheers of encouragement?) it would achieve perfection. Knowing I can accomplish that means I don't have to, so there is more time to spend in search of my muse.

Here muse here muse musey musey musey
Why the heck are you apologizing? Beautiful things should be enjoyed, sat beside, toasted to. You show care for living things, and you take pleasure in the green you have crafted.
If you're looking for your muse, Richard- check in your GARDEN. It was there when you wrote this.
Richard Frisbie Apr 14, 2006, 2:00pm EDT
I was apologizing because it wasn't blueberry wine!
Seriously, I never write poetry (nor is this poetry) and my garden Is my cathedral (you should see me telling that to the minister!) But the booze part was just a word play on "drink in" and the rest evolved from the rthym of the first line.
Glad you liked it.
Granny Janny H. Apr 17, 2006, 4:08pm EDT
It reads like poetry to me whether humorous (it is!) or serious. The word play is delightful...and the daily visit to the garden is universal to all gardeners.
Richard Frisbie Apr 17, 2006, 4:23pm EDT
Jan -You who write such lovely poetry - are too kind. (but thanks) I would live in my garden - or at least spend more time in it - if I could.
Richard Frisbie Apr 20, 2006, 11:14am EDT
Thank you Jeff - my garden puts a smile on my face. The line "I drink in the beauty of my garden" is my favorite. It was rattling around in my head until I just wrote this bit of fluff down. Glad you liked it.
Gisela S. Apr 22, 2006, 9:20am EDT
Richard -

I thought your play on words was brilliant ;) Our garden will be going dormant soon, as the big desert heat is nearly upon us. I think I will spend some time taking photos of the flowers before they all retreat for summer. Perhaps I can coax my husband out for an evening cocktail as we bid our blooms adieu!
Richard Frisbie Apr 22, 2006, 10:24am EDT
Gisela, what better way to spend an evening with your loved ones. We sit outside with those martinis most evenings and let the concerns of the day evaporate in the cooling breeze. It is cleansing. Glad you enjoyed it.
jessie voigts Apr 22, 2006, 10:43am EDT
richard - loved this. perfect! made me want to sit there with you!
Richard Frisbie May 3, 2006, 2:08pm EDT
Jessie, you are always welcome.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16836, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.