In guarded gardens, flowers grow
ordered, only the fittest fit–
tethered and trellis-trained
conserved, cared for, chromatic beauties
we pay to see
this oasis between highway deserts.
Yet, the unguarded blooms, guileless,
persistent, propagating
through buzzed bees and birds’ peck,
specks drop, imbed, again.
Wildflowers and plants, West Deptford, NJ
For dVerse,where Victoria asks us to write about gardens in a quadrille. Top photos are of a trip to Longwood Gardens one February about 10 years ago on my husband’s birthday. We had a freak warm spell with temperatures in the 70s F by the afternoon. It snowed the next day.
I’ve been doing lots of walking, and I often take pictures of the wildflowers growing all around my part of the world.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Look how cute you guys are! What a lovely way to remember your trip, Merril. Spotting wildflowers is always a special treat.
Thank you, Jill. We look a bit different now. 😏. I’m amazed at all the wildflowers.
Such a beautifully written poem!
Thank you so much, Lucy!
I love it, Merril. Those wildflowers are just as lovely as the cultivated ones.
Thank you very much, Sarah.
I do love wildflowers- they are so tenacious! Wonderful Merril.
Thank you, Linda.
There is some nice alliteration in this nod to nature, Merril.
Thank you very much, Ken!
This is so very heartfelt! Love the photos and the use of alliteration here, Merril! 💝
Thank you so much! ❤️
You’re most welcome! ❤️
I do love great greenhouses full of pampered plants, the oxygen is thick as mist, moist and pungent. But the wildflowers in the Pacific Northwest are fabulous. I wrote a poem about them recently.Your poem is excellent.
Thank you, Glenn.
The greenhouses at Longwood Gardens are just a small part of the place that also includes wooded paths, fountains, and a meadow space, as well as formal garden plantings and paths. It really is a beautiful place to visit, but there is a bit of magic in the unexpected springing up of wildflowers.
Wildflowers are hope and determination, I think, and making the best of a situation, I’ve been thinking these days, as I too do a lot of walking and see them.
Thank you. Yes, I agree. I love seeing the flowers that spring up in cracks in sidewalk or grow through fences. And the plants that grow on pilings in the water.
Yes. I have photographed some nice moss gardens growing on top of sign posts…and added my two cents worth…https://claudiamcgilladvice.wordpress.com/2019/08/10/beaver-pond-and-a-little-not-traveling-man
Thanks. I commented on the post.
Lovely poem
Thank you!
This is beautiful Merril, I love the photographs as well as the poetry!
Thank you very much, Rene!
It’s my pleasure Merril.
I love the greens of your wildflowers. There is beauty in both the wild and tamed. (K)
Yes, exactly Kerfe. Thank you!
This is lovely. As much as it is a joy to visit places where the gardens are well tended, there is something about nature’s wild touch.
Thank you, Dale. Yes, that is it exactly. I do enjoy seeing the formal gardens, but there is something special about finding those unexpected flowers.
Your poem very eloquently expresses my own experience with flowers. I love it when that happens!
Thank you so much, Liz!
You’re most welcome, Merril!
This is beautiful Merril. I hear Longwood Gardens is a beautiful spot to visit. I have friends who go there every year! Love your wild flowers as well. Beautiful poem.
Thank you so much, Dwight.
Longwood Gardens is beautiful with many different types of flowers, plants, and areas–including wooded paths and a meadow area–and also fountains.
Sounds great!
You use alliteration so effectively in this that makes the whole flow nicely. Enjoyed the photos, too.
Thank you very much, Victoria!
I like the contrasts you created here between the manicured garden and the wildflowers. I prefer the wildflowers. The ending is gorgeous, making me slow down to indulge on each word.
Thank you so much, Mish. I’m so pleased that my words made you pause.
Gorgeous. Made me think of my walk yesterday which also called my attention to the wild flowers. We put a price on something and all attention is focused there and yet- right next door, for free…
and love the photos too
Thank you very much, dear Damien, for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment. I do enjoy Longwood Gardens (and I should mention that they’ve added a meadow area)–but yes, to find the unexpected is special.
I love that they have now included a meadow area- all the waking around these country lanes at the moment you see how much beauty there is in wild things that we never seem to celebrate- happy they are now included 👏☘️
This poem pulls so many garden sights into focus. Well done.
Thank you very much, Bill.
You’re welcome.
Clever way of showing the difference between the tamed and the untamed, Merril. Beautifully presented.
Thank you very much!
And all that ‘literation, too
Thanks, Derrick. 😀
I see what you mean 🙂 Not that it surprises me you should prefer the flowers let loose to the ‘tethered’ variety.
😀. Though I do have to say that Longwood Gardens is beautiful, and I enjoy walking through the gardens.
Proper gardens are beautiful, it’s just that most amateurs don’t garden they just plant.
Yes. . .that would be us. 😏
🙂
There is something amazing about both… there is something similar to the song of the caged bird compared to that wildflower though
Thank you, Björn. I think both are beautiful. I’m not certain I see your comparison though.
My cousin lives in Deptford, NJ.
Nice writing about the garden.
Ah–then your cousin and I are practically neighbors. Thank you
Oh I get this. I live within walking distance of the Botanical Gardens. Yet I am utterly fascinated by the wild growth of an abandoned home near me . It is somehow stubbornly, almost sadistically, thriving while its well tended neighbors seem to languish.
I love seeing what pokes up at abandoned houses!
Beautiful poem…I feel like I stepped into the garden! 🙂
Thank you so much! That’s lovely.
Flowers are indispensable – for our souls and for our Earth. My guy and I visited Longwood Garden the day before my mom’s memorial service. A little peaceful meandering – although it was HOT and HUMID and we wilted, much like the flowers. 🙂 But that conservatory – when I lived in DE when my babies were babies, I’d walk there in the middle of winter for some heated peace. 🙂 Your poem says it all! xo
I agree about the flowers and the wandering in the heat and humidity. Maybe we’ll go visit in the fall. 😀
Better choice. We went into the Conservatory to get out of the heat, and you know how warm the Conservatory can be!
I don’t think we ever go in there when we’ve gone in the summer! 😀