Sunday, July 16, 2017

The Thing Perhaps



 since the thing perhaps is
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