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The Gardener

  

Category:  COLLABORATIVE ARTS FORUM

Via:  neetu2  •  7 years ago  •  50 comments

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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Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2    7 years ago

Now I need a good photo to go with this.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
link   pat wilson    7 years ago

wet trumpet.jpg

 
 
 
Randy
Sophomore Quiet
link   Randy  replied to  pat wilson   7 years ago

DSC_8202ds.jpg

 
 
 
Randy
Sophomore Quiet
link   Randy  replied to  Randy   7 years ago

DSC_8236.JPG

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. 

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Randy   7 years ago

See, now you are a poet too. :)

 
 
 
Randy
Sophomore Quiet
link   Randy  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

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!

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Randy   7 years ago

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.

 
 
 
Randy
Sophomore Quiet
link   Randy  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

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.

 

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Randy   7 years ago

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. 

 

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Randy   7 years ago

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.

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  pat wilson   7 years ago

Why, thank you, Pat! That is a beautiful photo. 

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
link   Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

Beautiful photos to both Pat and Randy!!

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
link   Buzz of the Orient    7 years ago

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.

Friday.jpg

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Buzz of the Orient   7 years ago

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. 

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
link   Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

Buzz,

Another lovely photo. I love the little girl in the picture. 

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
link   Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

Lovely Poem Neetu! And what a wonderful idea to illicit photos from others. Got the group's creativity up!

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Perrie Halpern R.A.   7 years ago

Thank you, Perrie. :)

 
 
 
sixpick
Professor Quiet
link   sixpick    7 years ago

I want to water your beautiful poem.

http://www.curezone.org/upload/Members/new03/childlead1.jpg

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  sixpick   7 years ago

In idyllic image, Six! Water my poem? Go right ahead! Thank you. :)

 
 
 
sixpick
Professor Quiet
link   sixpick  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

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)

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  sixpick   7 years ago

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. 

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
link   Kavika     7 years ago

Kudos Neetu, well done.

And kudos to the member that posted photos to go with your poem.

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Kavika   7 years ago

Thank you, Kavika. Indeed we collaborate here!

 
 
 
KatPen
Freshman Silent
link   KatPen    7 years ago

Wonderful poem, Neetu!  

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  KatPen   7 years ago

Glad you think so, Kat! Thanks. 

 
 
 
A. Macarthur
Professor Guide
link   A. Macarthur    7 years ago

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.

 
 
 
A. Macarthur
Professor Guide
link   A. Macarthur    7 years ago

neetufloralabstract17.1smv2.jpg

©  Neetu Malik & A. Mac/A.G.

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  A. Macarthur   7 years ago

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. 

 
 
 
A. Macarthur
Professor Guide
link   A. Macarthur  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

I will replace it momentarily.

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  A. Macarthur   7 years ago

There is never a hurry, Mac, but thank you! That helps a lot. 

 
 
 
Raven Wing
Professor Participates
link   Raven Wing   replied to  A. Macarthur   7 years ago

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. Macarthur
Professor Guide
link   A. Macarthur  replied to  Raven Wing   7 years ago

neetufloralabstract17.1smv3.jpg

A variation for Raven Wing and of course, Neetu retains her portion of the copyrights.

 
 
 
Raven Wing
Professor Participates
link   Raven Wing   replied to  A. Macarthur   7 years ago

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)

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Raven Wing   7 years ago

Thank you, Raven. It is so long since I have seen you! Hope you are well, my friend! 

 
 
 
Dowser
Sophomore Quiet
link   Dowser    7 years ago

Lovely poem, dear Neetu!  All of the pictures posted are beautiful, too!

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Dowser   7 years ago

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! 

 
 
 
Spikegary
Junior Quiet
link   Spikegary    7 years ago

House Flower.jpeg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Took this one in my backyard Sunday night.

 

 
 
 
A. Macarthur
Professor Guide
link   A. Macarthur  replied to  Spikegary   7 years ago

Nice! Hydrangea I think.

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  A. Macarthur   7 years ago

Indeed they are Hydrangea. 

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Spikegary   7 years ago

Oh I have a bush of those in my yard and your photo is beautiful, Spikegary! Thank you!

 
 
 
Spikegary
Junior Quiet
link   Spikegary  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

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!

 

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Spikegary   7 years ago

Haha, same here, Spike. My garden was planned and planted by the previous owners. 

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
link   Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  Neetu2   7 years ago

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. 

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Neetu2  replied to  Perrie Halpern R.A.   7 years ago

Yep, Perrie, hopefully it isn't too crammed with flower beds and grasses that can grow wild!

 
 
 
Dowser
Sophomore Quiet
link   Dowser  replied to  Spikegary   7 years ago

Yes, but you have kept it alive.  That says a lot!!!

 
 
 
A. Macarthur
Professor Guide
link   A. Macarthur    7 years ago

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.

 
 

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