to eat flowers and not to be afraid
—E.E. Cummings
I have been amazed at the squirrels
and the things they'll eat/have eaten—the new herbs I planted as a venture
into the adventurous, comfrey (used since Roman times to heal wounds, broken
bones) and chamomile (tromped underfoot in the Italian Alps when in pursuit of
our Temple to Jupiter), the whole of one native blossoming plant (only the soil
left untroubled around it), and all of the blue lobelia that I'm especially fond of. I've been keeping secret from the squirrels a
little deep blue willow ginger jar with defiant lobelia coming back after being
eaten. I think we should be able to all
cohabit without fear, to indulge in our serener appetites or hold back as the
moment asks. It is a good thing to eat
flowers unafraid, but good to live another day beyond the teeth that seek to
nip us in the bud.
image: Christie B. Cochrell, July Bouquet
