Today is the last day of National Poetry Month and the last day of my personal promise to write a haiku per day inspired by my native plant garden. I have to admit that I didn’t know if I would make it to the end. I’m usually really good at starting and not so much at finishing. But I did it and I surprised myself a time or two. I really enjoyed the process and found myself falling in love with word play once again, always a good thing for a writer.
Only a few of mine really hit the mark of what I wanted to say but some of them had lines that I fell in love with and I want to revise the rest of the poem to match up to those great lines.Thanks to everyone who supported me through this challenge.
Before we even had the keys to this house I knew what I wanted to do – create a wildlife habitat in the front and back yards. It’s a long way from done but it’s much closer than it was two years ago. I was glad to see the lawn go. I’m happy we’ve redirected the water from the downspouts underground. But what gives me the most pleasure is to go outside in the middle of the day when the neighborhood is quiet and just visit the plants, seeing spiders and predatory wasps and bumble bees and carpenter bees and the occasional hummingbird zoom by.
goodbye lawnmower
you’re not welcome anymore
wildlife wanted here
bugs and birds and beasts
move in when no one’s looking
happy neighborhood
@copyright Susan Taylor Brown
It’s gorgeous! It makes me smile, too.
I saw on the news yesterday a small segment on “guerilla gardeners,” people who go around at night planting flowers and things in neglected spots all over. It was a great story.
I’ve seen stories about them, too. Inspiring, isn’t it?
I’ve also read profile pieces about those who return their yards to a more naturalized habitat. I admire them (you!) for their sense of ecological responsibility AND artistic sensibilities. Again…inspiring!
But as you know, some neighbors do not appreciate them (or “natural” gardens) in the same way…if at all. Have your neighbors warmed to the changes? Maybe you could express THEIR observations/attitudes in haiku… 😉
There are some native plant gardners who will only plant what can be proven to have grown in their zip code 200 years ago. I admire what they are doing but I’m not that much of a purist. I have a lot of plants from the Chanel Islands in my yard because they make me happy.
My one neighbor, evil neighbor, still makes no comment but I avoid her at all costs. On the other side I am told she is getting used to it. We really don’t talk much to our neighbors except for the daughter on one side. Everyone else is 30-40 years older than else and nothing in common.
Thank you.
I love the idea of guerilla gardners. In fact I think “Plant Kid” might be a bit of one in his book. 😉
WOW!!
Thanks!
Love your double haiku.
Thank you.
What a fitting finale to the month.
Goodbye lawnmower….
🙂
I tell you were were so happy to put that lawnmower on craigslist!