gardening 20 Jun 2006 07:42 am
Fireflies in the Garden, by Robert Frost
Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,
And here on earth come emulating flies,
That though they never equal stars in size,
(And they were never really stars at heart)
Achieve at times a very star-like start.
Only, of course, they can’t sustain the part.
Like snow flurries and honeysuckle and the first tulips are fireflies in Tennessee to me. We’ll just be sitting there talking, sipping something and maybe sighing in fatigue, and it will catch our eye out in the yard and there’s no choice but to smile. They dance in a swirl, extinguish as abruptly as they ignite, and enchant any who see.
My garden is beautiful. “Stick that feather in my hat”, I grew corn. I grew last night’s salad, I grew pickles that we’ll have in winter. The tomatoes are rippening and my transplants miss their native holes in the ground. I’ll miss seeing how the carrots did most. My friend isn’t moving in after all; my garden will go to a stranger. I’ve already done the letting go and there is so much I want to do in the new house that I’m not even going to do much in the dirt until later this fall, in preparation for spring. Maybe I’ll get some garlic in the ground in enough time.
I want to be done. I want to load it all and lock the door here and turn face forward and uplifted to the future. Bring it on…we’re ready.
on 20 Jun 2006 at 8:18 am 1.erin said …
Sorry to hear about your friend not moving in behind you but it is very good to see that you have made the mental move already. That’s the most difficult transition to me. You’ve come a long way!
on 20 Jun 2006 at 11:07 am 2.Dr. Hibiscus said …
We’ll have to take you to Elkmont some year to see the “synchronous fireflies” - they’re amazing! It’s like a fireworks show put on by bugs.
Thanks for the Robert Frost too. He’s my favorite poet. Here’s a link to one of my favorite poems called “Wild Grapes”
http://glenavalon.com/wildgrapes.html
I love the story of the poem - it makes me laugh! And the ending seems to fit you well.
on 20 Jun 2006 at 11:27 am 3.Sarah K. said …
Have you seen this?
http://www.homesteadblogger.com
I thought of you when I ran across it.
Sarah K.
on 20 Jun 2006 at 11:53 am 4.Tia said …
Oh wow Randy!! What a great poem. Made me laugh too and relate. Hang and let hang
Sarah, yes, they have some great ones on there! When I have the time I like to click on “random” blog and surf
on 20 Jun 2006 at 12:34 pm 5.Bannergranny said …
Oh I wish I could be up there with you this weekend! I’m sorry your friend won’t be moving in, but even though your garden will go to a stranger, its bound to be a huge blessing to whomever, and maybe that’s all part of God’s plan for them….and He needed you to do your part. And you now have some great experience for the next garden which will be bigger and I’m sure even more productive and a bigger joy. You have been a good steward and God will bless you for that for sure. I hope we get up there sometime this summer so I can see the fireflies too.
on 17 Jun 2007 at 1:20 am 6.Helen said …
Hmm… sweet! [*../nice_site2.txt*]