The Gardener
You water me
that I might grow
lush and luxuriant
you prune me
when my branches stray
too far out or too high
you mulch me
when you think
I may wilt or die
you nurture me
as if I am too frail
to stand on my own
as if without you
I might fail to thrive
in truth, maybe it is you
who needs me
to survive
(c) Neetu M. All Rights Reserved.
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Now I need a good photo to go with this.
The summer turns too hot here
I dream of the fall rains
then the cool of the 80 degrees of a desert winter
Then the spring rains to make me ready
to survive another season because,
the summer turns too hot here.
See, now you are a poet too.
See, now you are a poet too.
Strictly an amateur. I used write a lot of it, but stopped about 40 years ago. However yours is very, very nice!
I am going to have a very difficult time choosing an image with so many lovely images, Randy. Nature is abundant with so much beauty if we just have eyes for it. I love the images you have posted. Thank you.
The small different color ones growing among the rocks are called Lantanas and as you can see they come in a great variety (more then I have). They grow like weeds as they say and in fact those ones have spread into a carpet over a couple of places over the crushed rocks that have have for a front yard here in the desert and they require zero care at all. No water, no bug spray, nothing at all. They are sort of hibernating right now (We are having a very hot summer. About 112 average, but going up to 122 some days), but I will have them cut back this fall and when the winter rains come they will explode for months of different colors. In fact they are sort of difficult to keep under control if you're not careful
The red ones are called Bougainvilleas and the red is actually one of the two colors of leaves, the stronger green ones and the lighter red ones called bracts. The actual flowers are the tiny white parts in the centers of the red bracts. They are like the Lantanas in that they are almost indestructible out here in the desert. I never water them and they just keep growing. In fact after I had my lawn torn out 3 1/2 years ago I have shut off my outdoor sprinkler system completely and never water any outside plants. It saves me a fortune in water bills and lawns don't belong here. My palm trees are dying off, but again they are not native to the desert, nor Southern California (which surprises a lot of people) and they don't belong in the desert as they are real water drinkers. The only problem with the Bougainvilleas is that the red bracts blow off easily and around a lot like snow and bunch up in corners of the yard walls and get in the pool a lot and they need to be cut back really far once a year also.
Yes, the Lantanas are the ones I knew nothing about, Randy. Thank you. They also have a lovely scent. I can imagine the heat. Have lived in those sorts of temperatures growing up in India and Bougainvillea are commonly found there too.
Randy, what are those flowers called? I have seen them in different places and they are so delicate and colorful but I have no idea what they are.
Why, thank you, Pat! That is a beautiful photo.
Beautiful photos to both Pat and Randy!!
Not only beautiful but profound and very significant poem, Neetu2. Unfortunately I don't think I have a suitable photo to use as a background for it. This one is the best I can come up with - showing an interplay between a young child and a young fruit tree - both capable of providing sustenance to each other. Surely A.Mac will have a more suitable match.
Buzz, please don't call me Neetu2! Just Neetu will do just fine. I get confused with the 2. Now I know I have multiple personalities lurking underneath but let's just keep them hidden, shall we?
Your image is beautiful with the little girl. But you're right. It may not convey the subtle intent of this poem. Thank you, though, it has a message of its own.
Buzz,
Another lovely photo. I love the little girl in the picture.
Lovely Poem Neetu! And what a wonderful idea to illicit photos from others. Got the group's creativity up!
Thank you, Perrie.
I want to water your beautiful poem.
In idyllic image, Six! Water my poem? Go right ahead! Thank you.
Neetu, the image may not be appropriate, but the poem to me can be interpreted many ways and one of them is all living creatures, such as all of those in the image were once depend on a parent.
A parent waters the youth (nourishes) so that he/she can survive until adulthood.
A parent prunes (guides) the youth so that it is led in the right direction.
A parent mulches (takes care) of the youth because the youth can't do it himself/herself.
A parent nurtures (provides a safe path for survival) for the youth to become an adult.
Maybe it's you who needs me to survive. (All creatures human and other animals need their youth in order to continue their survival)
Definitely, Six. Where I do my poetry workshop, one thing is clear about poetry. It has many interpretations which go beyond the poet's intent. My mentor just told me today how a poem goes out of the poet's sheltering embrace as soon as it is released to the reader. There is no wrong interpretation. We all bring ourselves into it as both poets and readers.
I think your image conveys an extension of the poet's intention. I am honored.
Kudos Neetu, well done.
And kudos to the member that posted photos to go with your poem.
Thank you, Kavika. Indeed we collaborate here!
Wonderful poem, Neetu!
Glad you think so, Kat! Thanks.
My apologies for just getting to this; I will contribute what I can in the way of a collaborative image … and add to all of the already wonderful contributions to this thread.
© Neetu Malik & A. Mac/A.G.
It is gorgeous, Mac! Thank you. I wonder, though, if the script can be darkened a bit. The image is so vibrant and brilliant that it eclipses the script somewhat.
I will replace it momentarily.
There is never a hurry, Mac, but thank you! That helps a lot.
Mac, it would be nice if the flowers could be darkened at bit more to stand out from the background a little more. For me, it all tends to run together and the lovely flowers seem to get lost.
Overall, the picture is lovely, but, a little more definition of the flowers would be nice as they are somewhat the focal point of Neetu's beautiful poem.
Just my own opinion, of course. (smile)
A variation for Raven Wing and of course, Neetu retains her portion of the copyrights.
Thank you so much, Mac. For me, if brings the poem to full life to see the fullness of the beautiful flowers.
Thank you again for taking the time to make my wish come true. (big smile)
Thank you, Raven. It is so long since I have seen you! Hope you are well, my friend!
Lovely poem, dear Neetu! All of the pictures posted are beautiful, too!
Thanks, dear Dowser! Been a while since I have seen you! Hope all is well, my dear friend. All the images I have been so generously supplied with are indeed lovely!
Took this one in my backyard Sunday night.
Nice! Hydrangea I think.
Indeed they are Hydrangea.
Oh I have a bush of those in my yard and your photo is beautiful, Spikegary! Thank you!
I'd love to claim my gardening prowess was the cause, but, truthfully, the previous owners of the house were very much the gardeners.....I'm the beneficiary. Thanks of the compliment, I'm glad you enjoyed the photo!
Haha, same here, Spike. My garden was planned and planted by the previous owners.
Us too. This house, unlike our last, came with nice landscaping. We are adding to it a bit, and there are always all those flower pots to do, but not to bad... more like fun.
Yep, Perrie, hopefully it isn't too crammed with flower beds and grasses that can grow wild!
Yes, but you have kept it alive. That says a lot!!!
It would be easier on these old eyes if the flowers could be darkened at bit more to stand out from the background a little more.
Let me work on a variation and post it later.