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Growing Up
| Open Poetry #47 |
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Growing Up |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa 
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GROWING UP 20 September 2011 Oh, my dear little Podacarpus latifolius, my broad-leafed yellowwood tree, you have been monkeyed! You are growing up before my eyes. Once, not so long ago, you were so tiny I had to protect you ferociously from an ad hoc gardener, but moments ago through my window I saw you wave with delight as a monkey from the troop playing in the forest this morning – a baby monkey – sprang into you and on to another tree. You are a teenager now and one day you will be as big as the biggest Podacarpus latifolius and Podacarpus falcatus and all the other indigenous trees in the forest and then you will have all the monkeys communicating with you and playing in you in boundless delight even the Alpha Male. Owl |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
What a delightful garden you have. A monkey's playground. I did a look-up of that type of tree, amazing. Can become a huge tree. Enjoyed you sharing the view out your window. JL  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, JL. Yes, it is very natural, and the trees are big. Needs some weeding though, which I enjoy immensely, but the time is the problem. That is a lovely way of describing my garden - a monkey's playground. They are here almost every day for anything from half an hour to an hour, and I love watching them. I, too, enjoyed sharing the view from my window with you. Owl |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
What a wonderful look at your garden! The focus may be on one tree, but the delight it gives you is shared in every line! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Ruth. Yes the whole forest brings me delight (not that it is a big forest), but it gave me such pleasure to see the little tree having so much fun! Owl |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
So beautiful, dear Owl! M |
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flash Member
since 2010-11-28
Posts 213miami beach, florida |
Some people can look out of windows 30 feet wide and see nothing--but you, see nature unfolding in its beautiful unpretentious way. Not asking much of us--but giving back so much in return--if we will only look and reflect. Thanks for sharing! Al |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Margherita. Smiles. Thank you, Al, for your beautiful reply - your kind words and the truth that we only need to look and reflect. Owl |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Very nice. I would be just like that baby monkey if I could roam around in your indigenous garden.. Going from tree to tree, I love being among new species--a voyeur, touching their leaves without needing permission, but knowing I am invited to do so. I only see podacarpus as a house plant here, although I am sure it grows outdoors in warmer parts of the country.. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Oh, Ford, I know exactly what you mean. I have a huge variety of indigenous trees in my forest garden, the original ones carefully chosen by me or by my children for Christmas and birthday presents so long ago, but so many have grown naturally from them and by other means. We have only 4 podacarpus species here in South Africa - the two I mentioned and Podacarpus henkelii which grows naturally further inland in a slightly colder clime, but does very well in Durban if planted and I have seen a few which, off the top of my head, I can't remember whether they were in a natural environment or planted. The fourth one's name escapes me and isn't found naturally in this area, but around the southern coast of Africa and in the Cape Province. |
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