Sweet Prunings

Such a beautiful day today.

Time slows to a standstill as I prune the shrubs and roses,

the sun warm on my back as an early summer's day

whilst I ready the garden for the winter.

The stems I trace back to buds where I will make a cut

 are glossy with life.

I visualise the new growth that will burst forth;

tender new leaves, and eventually blossom.

Fat flower buds from the camellias fall around me

as we cut the branches to keep the trees in good shape.

I hate seeing this sweet potential lying underfoot

 but with an eye to the long term it has to be done. 

The metaphor is too obvious to be missed.

I think of the many paintings I haven't been able to finish
 because I have held on to some juicy patch of colour,
 or delicious swirl of brush work.
 Only when I have painted out this favourite, pride inducing, portion,
 has the work found new balance and perspective,
 and a resolution become possible. 

It's hard to let the darling things in life go though isn't it?

Even, or perhaps especially,
 when we know it's the sensible thing to do.

I salvage a few blossoms from the prunings of the Winter Sweet

so the scent will fill the room we sit in when we at last retreat indoors.

Now, our clocks having gone back an hour,

 the early dark has fallen

 and their fragrance pervades the warm room.

Another metaphor then.

The things we can bring ourselves to let go when we need to,

hard as they may be to part with,

open the way for a restoration,
 fresh, sweet, and new.

Yes, to move on, we need to let go.

Be Blessed