Great Ambrook Italian Garden 1
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:11,10)
Speedwell skies,
and sheep angels!
A soul singing behind a tree!
Rooted, green-infused,
whole, happy, here…
Beautiful smallness –
watching the wind-gliders.
The bamboo whispers: “Earthling!”
Profound pond stillness:
the silent boatman’s ball.
Far off, fingers fly over a jazz piano.
String-thrum bass raps
to the low hum laughter.
A wind-rush ballet now, leaf chatter,
wild, verdant communication.
Far more captivating:
a sweeping choral in the Heights!
The tooth-grinding gravel disturbs:
“They specialized in rare breeds, my parents.”
Merciful fade out,
as ovine voices reconnect
in the lamb-filled breeze –
of which we’re not a part,
of which we’re not a part.
All together still, under the trees,
their dreaming faces sheltered,
pressed against the pillow-bark:
this is a peaceable kingdom.
The bees too are drunk with lavender:
too blissed out to buzz or sting.
What if the trees…took over?
What if the rivers decided to flow backwards?
.
Heidi Stephenson
1 The Italian Garden, Great Ambrook, Devon
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