Past Remnants

Nearly two seasons ago we cleared a new area west of the then borders of the Prospect Gardens. We expanded the Gardens while uncovering remnants from the past. Here's four plants now in bloom. I suspect that three (two types of peonies and roses) witnessed trains that rumbled through our neighborhood following what is now the commuter path. If I recall correctly, the path was opened in 2000.  The irises, the fourth pictured flower, were transplanted from a neighbor's yard.

I love peonies.  Today on my way to a meditation retreat on the UW Oshkosh campus, I will stop at the peony garden in Rosendale.

Most Wisconsin citizens know and associate Rosendale, with the vigilant police officer who diligently enforces the 30 miles on hour speed limit. Several years ago I was a receiver of that vigilance.

The peony gardens are on the left as you are going east on Highway 26 and after the traffic light. I share this Mary Oliver poem about the lovely peony.

Peonies

This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready

to break my heart

as the sun rises,

     as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers

and they open-----

pools of lace,

white and pink----

     and all the day the black ants climb over them,

boring their deep and mysterious holes

into their curls,

    craving the sweet sap,

        taking it away

to their dark, underground cities-----

and all day

    under the shifty wind,

      as in a dance to the great wedding,

the flowers bend their bright bodies,

and tip their fragrance to the air,

    and rise,

         their red stems holding

all that dampness and recklessness

gladly and lightly,

     and there it is again-----

        beauty the brave, the exemplary,

blazing open

do you love this world?

      Do you cherish your humble and silky life?

         Do you adore the green grass, with its terror beneath?

Do you also hurry, half-dressed and barefoot into the garden,

And softly,

   And exclaiming of their dearness,

         Fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,

With their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,

their eagerness

    to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are

      nothing, forever?

 Another one of my favorites is the old fashioned climbing rose. Like the peony, these too are "wild and perfect for a moment". We witness precious moments of beauty before the delicate blooms fade away for another season. 

The Japanese Iris are from the backyard of Nick's house that borders the Prospect Gardens. A few years ago, Nick's backyard gardens were professionally redesigned and he offered the Irises. I usually have problems saying "no thank you", when neighbors offer plants. I am getting better at saying "no" when I need to, and especially now that the Gardens have matured. 

 These four beauties remind me of the generosity of current neighbors and that others worked in areas that are now incorporated in the Gardens.  They also remind me of the beauty of Springtime while pointing out the impermanence of beauty and life itself.