3 June 2021

Working in the garden in the last couple of months I have been hit with the bittersweet sight of plants that Rosemary put into pots and never told me about. I call them her posthumous surprises. There is this lovely lily that opened up just a few days ago in the morning and dazzled me. It is tempting to keep this garden as a monument to my Rosemary but some plants have not dealt well with the extreme heat and I will not mourn their passing. Luckily I am never alone as Niño and Niña follow me. They disappear only when I unroll the hose to water the plants.

Sonnet 15: William Shakespeare

When I consider everything that grows

Holds in perfection but a little moment,

That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows

Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;

When I perceive that men as plants increase,

Cheered and check'd even by the selfsame sky,

Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,

And wear their brave state out of memory;

Then the conceit of this inconstant stay

Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,

Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay

To change your day of youth to sullied night;

And all in war with Time for love of you,

As he takes from you, I engraft you new.