Yellow, blue and white
blooms spread wings.
The slow language of bird,
sky, rock and garden,
speaks in inner silence,
a place quieter than wind.
A deep resonance and
a few scattered notes
of uncurling color
strike chords in belly and bone
that knit the rock garden
into oneness with the gardener.
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Note: Happy Poetry Friday, this week hosted thanks to Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche. I’m recovering from surgery and trying to catch up on my day job. I will still try to visit everyone, but my available energy may not support my intention.
53 thoughts on “Rock Garden”
Comments welcome!
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Friendly Fairy Tales 
Speedy recovery, Brenda! Your poem “strike chords in belly and bone” – nice! =)
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
I’ve been speaking that “slow language” this morning, planting some new native perennials and enjoying the last bit of summer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been reading all day while my hubby has been taking the kids hiking. It’s been a rare quiet day, here, too.
LikeLike
ooh, i love the look of flowers growing amidst the rocks –
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Beth, me, too. Hope you’re having a great weekend. XOXO
LikeLike
I’ll add my best wishes for your quick recovery, Brenda! It seems the “belly and bone” line is quite the favorite — a nice juxtaposition with the fragility of the flowers. Read something fun while you rest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I just read Fortune Falls and Sister. Both excellent. Next I’m in with Tangle of Knots and Key to Extraordinary. 🙂
LikeLike
“chords in belly and bone
that knit the rock garden
into oneness with the gardener.”
Sounds like healing to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I sure hope so.
LikeLike
Beautiful. I love that “slow language.” Hope you’re feeling better soon. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ruth!
LikeLike
A garden is “a place quieter than wind,” and your lovely poem radiates that peace. I’ve been toying with the idea that “a garden is it’s own poem” myself this week. We’ll see what grows out of that 🙂 Sending you wishes for a speedy recovery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I wish I had the energy for weeding, but not quite yet. Weeding is like editing — key to not having a mess. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh – I love ‘a place quieter than wind’.
Wishing all the best with your recovery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sally. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
What lovely gifts this garden gives. I can feel the harmony of the place in your poem. Hope you heal quickly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I hope so, too. I feel like the White Rabbit. I’m late, I’m late!
LikeLike
Sorry to hear about the surgery, Brenda. “A deep resonance and/a few scattered notes/of uncurling color” sounds like medicine of the best, poetic kind. Bouquets of warm wishes and healing thoughts to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michelle. Rest is doing wonders for me.
LikeLike
I have a hard time getting plants to thrive, so maybe I need to make a rock garden. I love the peacefulness of your poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Water and sun are all that most need. 🙂 To tell the strict truth, this rock garden is my neighbor’s. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The slow language of bird,” the silence of the wind, I love how you’ve captured the garden. Perfect place for writing haiku. The images and line breaks are terrific..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joy!
LikeLike
“knit the rock garden
into oneness with the gardener”
Yeah, like it lots.
And I do hope you are mending! Let the wild weeds frolic and take your garden for a joy ride… there’s nothing that can’t be put back to rights in a while. For now, take in the sun and view.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it rained today, and my garden is doing fine without me. 🙂
LikeLike
“speaks inner silence” love these lines!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Rock garden peace exists in your photo and poem. These lines resonate with me, Brenda:
The slow language of bird,
sky, rock and garden,
speaks in inner silence,
a place quieter than wind.
I did not know that you are in recovery mode. Stay well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carol. I hope to be lots better soon. Meanwhile, the peace of a garden is a balm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear that you are on the mend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope your recovery is speedy, Brenda! I love the connection you made between the garden & the gardener: “a few scattered notes
of uncurling color
strike chords” – Lovely, and true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. I’m glad you liked my poem. A garden is the gardener’s poem. 🙂
LikeLike
Get lots of rest! hugs! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful poem, Brenda! There is such a mood of peace, serenity and rootedness in this poem. I love that knitted connection between the garden and the gardener. Sending wishes for a continued speedy recovery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Molly! I wish my belly would knit up as fast as the weeds grow. 🙂
LikeLike
Feel better soon, Brenda. I prescribe flowers, sunshine and birds. I like the imagery around ‘strike chords in belly and bone’ – particularly the bone. It’s a deeper kind of resonance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kat. I hope to feel better soon. 🙂
LikeLike
I love your rock garden. 💜💙did you have surgery? Oh my! I wish you a speedy recovery. Sending extra gentle hugs! 💙💕💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I had the surgery. My belly is very grumpy. 🙂 I’ll get better every day, though. Extra gentle hugs to you, too. XOXO
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe I’m so sorry to hear that but I know you will feel better. Usually surgery is to fix something so I hope you recover quickly. Xoxo sending hugs and prayers! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, MM. I can start getting better now. I hope you’re feeling better now. 🙂
LikeLike
I am starting to! It’s so hard to work. I have to stand and then sit some. I got one of those anorindack chairs at work so that is good. 🙂 I hope you are feeling better too! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m trying to work, too, but the simplest things are so frustrating. XOXO
LikeLike
I know exactly what you mean! The things I used to find easy become things that take me all day to complete! 😀 it’s very frustrating. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re a good friend. I hope your troubles ease soon.
LikeLike
AnElephant sends Brenda love and hugs, and hopes she mends soon.
Cool poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, AnElephant. I’m on the mend. 🙂
LikeLike
AnElephantCant forget his friends
LikeLiked by 1 person