Letters to garden makers

Dear Monty, The truth is we are all losing, perhaps that is why we get so angry with the world ? Loss is a painful thing. We lose time - we cannot slow it or stop it. We grow older day by day second by second. We lose vitality and function, We lose lovers, friends, parents, siblings. We cannot hold on to any material thing. The garden is lost once the hands that created it become infirm I lose plants to viruses, And the view is lost to trees. So how should I cope with the knowledge of loss ? Live as much as is possible, appreciate that what we have is passing through our fingers. Appreciate relationships, friendships, souls. I have to let go - even of all the things and people I love I let go of hills, butterflies, blue sky, flag irises, trees Heron Bees The sun And stars. Your thoughts are higher than mine The hills will burst forth in song I lose myself in peace. Paul

Dear Monty, As you know I opened the garden under the National Gardens Scheme   www.ngs.org.uk  last weekend. It was a positive experience on the whole, apart from one visitor who suggested that if I was to open next year I should do some weeding. Perfection is not resident here in this house, garden or soul. Weeds are now a part of my vision of the imperfect perfection. I do not strive. The light made me change direction - sudden light which lit up blues and greens, yellows and purples. There were bees and birds - a chorus of approval. What was before me in this garden was imperfect beauty. 'Weeds' made up the tapestry of colour and fed the bees with nectar. The thing is, all types of garden can be perfection in our own minds eye, but the bee is less discriminating and the butterfly needs its weeds. I love gardens of all kinds. Paul