My father loved keeping his garden tidy; he would arrange his plants just the way he would like to see them. He would spend most of his time in the garden tending his borders and taking off the dead flower heads. He once told me that by moving the dead heads this would encourage them to produce more flowers. His flower borders were along the side of the garden backing onto the fence. As you walked through the apple trees to the other end, there would be his vegetable garden, with the usual variety of vegetables. These would eventually end up on the dinner plate for our meals. When the weather was fine, we would spend some time together sitting and admiring the display of flowers. This was nice for my father; he could now relax, reaping the reward for all his efforts.Those memories of my father’s garden had installed in me a love for the beauty of nature, giving me an understanding that if we take from nature then we should put something back. When my father passed away, and new occupants were about to move in, my wife suggested it would be nice if we could have in our garden some of the plants that he had cherished. So with the help of my wife, we removed some of his plants and replanted them in our own garden. These plants have now been growing at the end of our garden by the palm, where we sit. This poem, Peace And Calm, explains what happens when I retreat from the hustle and bustle of every day life, the strong bond of love that existed before my loved ones passed, will never die. This awareness I now have that life lives on, means I still receive that love from them, and when I sit in a relaxing state of mind upon the bench beneath this palm, their presence of spirit surrounds me with love, peace and calm.
Peace And Calm
In my garden, by the palm, there is a place, of peace and calm. As I sit, beneath this tree, The spirits come, and visit me.
For at this place, love fills the air. They cast away, my every care. While I sit, they calm my mind. And gently help, me to unwind.