December
The pond maintains an ice gap
through water movement,
and a tennis ball turning slowly,
towards the Solstice
November
An eerily warm November.
But the leaves colour and fall
saying, Yes it is autumn
October
Not-so-hardy trees
brought inside for protection.
Now the perfume of orange blossom
fills the greenhouse.
September
Sunflowers planted late
catch up with the season,
heavy with seeding
they struggle to track the sun.
August
A new bed extracted from the parched lawn where irises,
thinned out and moved from a shady corner, can sunbathe.
Next spring some flowers perhaps.
July
Glistening bounty
hides from the blackbirds,
for now.
June
A peony called peace
as easily buffeted as peace in the world
but for a moment held in beauty.
May
Past the night of a dark moon
sumptuous apple blossom swept away by wind,
now blue rules the garden for a time
April
Colour springs forth,
it braves the wind
and sets the world abuzzing.
March
Some come unbidden,
we relish their beauty
and their agency
Others we help,
so much promise,
so much hope.
February
Hellebores continue their gentle welcome
to both low angled sun
and occasional frost.
January
Frost sparkled grass and dormant seeds
then snowdrops followed by hellebores
pushing through a dressing of compost and fallen leaves
burnished by winter sun and icy winds.