Counting the Years
.
When I was born the summer sun was high up in the sky
The green beans they did run and run, up the poles so high!

When I was one tomatoes grew all round and red and plump
I learned to walk, I learned to run and even how to jump!

And then I grew and grew some more and turned the age of two
I learned to speak and sing among the violets so blue.

When I was three I learned to say "I" instead of me
The Lilies of the Valley they grew up right up to my knee.

And I remember when I was a little girl of four
My hands were yellow, buttery bright from dandelions galore!

At five years old I started school and got a watering can
To water the geraniums that grew in pots and pans.

And at the tender age of six, I liked to watch the ants
Crawling on the peony buds and other kinds of plants.

Then the sun went round and round and seven I did turn
Asparagus grew tall and green mid soft and feathery ferns.

And then upon the age of eight, I liked to climb a tree
where apples grew in autumn time for our family.

And at the age of nine years old, our tree of apricots
Gave us loads and loads of fruit, we liked them quite a lot!

At ten years old, I sold my own bunches of homegrown dill
The first money I did make, it really was a thrill!

And now I am much older now, the years go by and by
I do not count them anymore, the numbers are too high!

But I do like to sit and tell stories now and then
Of memories in the garden green from ages one to ten!

© written by Christine Summerfield/August 28, 2018

G is for Gunnera

Gunnera, Gunnera
   Growing in the sunnera
       Showing off your great big leaves!

Gunnera, Gunnera
   You are so much funnera
    As tall as a dinosaur's knee!

Gunnera, Gunnera
   You provide a tonnera
       Of shade for my friends and me!

© Christine Summerfield/August 20, 2018
  

Elements Four

Sitting quietly by the shore
Beholding elements...one, two, three four.

The water splashes! singing clear
Quiet stones sit for a thousand years. 
Brother wind blows all a swirl
Patterns made they move and curl.

But where is the fire? you might ask
Father Sun wears his golden mask.
Making diamonds so divine
On the water, they sparkle and shine.

Water, air, fire, earth
Elements Four coming to birth.

© Christine Summerfield /July 14, 2018​

The Letter "V"
I've many friends whose name begins with the letter V
They live inside my garden green, come along and see!
One is purple and creeps along in clumps along the ground
She is named Veronica her shape is low and round.

Another plant of purple hues you'll find on bended knee
​Is Violet who grows in the grass full of fragrance sweet.

And then there's tall Valerian all dressed in lacy white
She stands up straight and opens wide her petals to the light.

And don't forget the vines that grow along my fence and wall
​Virginia Creeper with leaves of green that turn red in the fall.

Sweet Ivy is a sturdy vine with a V in the middle of her name
​She likes the shade and fills the wall around my window frame.

And then a last surprise that stood in my maple tree
​The grandest letter of them all, a great big letter "V"!

So when you walk along my path, my dear friends you will see
Violet, Virginia, Veronica, Ivy and Valerie!