At the end of October, the several hundred bulbs I had ordered for the strolling garden at the Benedictine Monastery project finally arrived. I divided them up into bags, and took a trip down to the Sisters to hand them over to the gardener. Autumn was in full progress there as well as here, and the maple in one of the quadrants had already lost most of its leaves. I was heartened to see that visitors to the garden had taken to hanging little poems, written in elegant calligraphy, from its branches. They were turning with the breeze, and I made sure to read every one of them. This one was my favorite—it offered hope, and I read it out loud:
“Oh yes” exclaimed my dear Sister Jane, “we can’t possibly have four more years of this!!” It was such a totally unprompted and unexpected response, we all burst out laughing. (In total agreement, I might add.)
Fast forward to today. With results rolling in from around the nation on this day of voting, it seems change is indeed in the air. Forgive me if I rejoice in the fact that leaves aren’t the only thing turning colors today. I have waited years for the proverbial pendulum to reach its amplitude and begin swinging in the opposite direction again. Dare I think this is the end of this period? Or will it still get worse before it gets better? As we never know our futures, I will just put my faith into the optimism of this poem, dangling from a branch like a leaf about to set sail. I want to believe it so badly, but it’s so damn hard…
For those who might be curious as to which bulbs I ordered, here’s the list:
Carpets of little miniature bulbs to emerge through the Black Scallop Ajuga of the four center quadrants in spring:
For the surrounding outer quarter circles, I went a little nuts on the Alliums:
- Allium ‘Purple Sensation’
- Allium christophii (because they look so amazing with the Ebb Tide roses)
Yes, at the “end” of the season, it’s remarkable how hope permeates. I love the hanging poem!
I loved it when I first saw it, and I love it even more today. It’s never too early to hope, right? All four of the Measures we had a chance to vote for passed – one supporting schools, and the other three supporting water supply and wildlife. So, even more reason to rejoice! 😀
Fingers crossed
Thanks Derrick – we need all the good vibes we can get!
I hate waiting, but wait we must.
My WV: http://www.thedangergarden.com/2019/11/wednesday-vignette-uncovered.html
Indeed! Happy to be able to distract myself in a garden rather than by sending out explosive tweets.
‘Purple Sensation’ is a great Allium, but it is going to self-sow like mad. You might want to warn the gardener, I hope they have room. Love the hanging poems! The curmudgeonly pessimist inside my head complained loudly about the futility of me voting (although I did!) and now she’s bitching about all the (premature) celebrating.
I know… I’m proceeding with hope filled trepidation too, and worry that folks will be rocked into some false sense that our democracy is in the clear, just because of one positive outcome in this election. Don’t. Let. Up. We need a much bigger participation next time!
Hope: I’m hanging onto it by my muddy fingernails at this point. Loved the poem on the tag, and the beautiful tree hosting it.
Managed A vignette this week: https://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2019/11/wednesday-vignette-november-6-2019.html
Haha – I think we all do… Muddy fingers crossed!
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Yeah, I like hb’s “holding on by my muddy fingernails image” — same here, politically and in other aspects of my life. Mine: https://amoveablegarden.wordpress.com/2019/11/06/wednesday-vignette-laundry-room/
Hang on tight! And best wishes for you regarding those “other aspects, too.
I love the poem and the Sister’s observation as well. I actually did a little jig in front of the TV this morning when news of the results in Virginia and Kentucky was covered. I expect we’ll here a lot of grousing and ridiculous accusations before the dust fully settles but it does spur hope that the tide is turning!
We have a similar taste in bulbs! I have all the ones you planted except for the Fritillaria. Why is it that Fritillaria don’t appeal to me? Who knows. The election results from VA and KY were very encouraging. If the Democrats had won in MS it surely would have been a sign of the End Times. On the other hand, overconfidence is dangerous. The sickness in our society does not begin or end with Trump – he is a symptom, though a particularly noxious one. Removing Trump is a battle that must be won, but once achieved it will be followed by many others. Sadly, there is never a final victory (a concept that I think is rooted in messianic monotheism), but the positive flip side is that there is no final defeat, either.
Anna, that poem is perfect. It’s quite moving, to me. Thanks for sharing my friend, let us all do are bit to make sure the tide DOES change. Vote, people – volunteer, people – be kind to one another.
Yes, yes, and YES!