We’ve been strimming the grass in the meadow
And pruning some shrubs by the pond
Where the waterline seems to have steadied,
And cut down some branches beyond;
And I’ve practically finished a sonnet,
Some verses on G- and the Bear
And two limericks – Him-with-the-bonnet
And Dahlia (rhyme if you dare!) –
And the gardener’s talking to Caro
As I sit and I watch from the shade
Of the ash trees that grow round my platform,
In a straw hat with fresh lemonade.
It’s perfectly lovely in Norfolk:
I can’t want for better than this,
With a garden conducive to writing
And a beautiful Floosie to kiss;
And tomorrow we go in a party
To Barton or some other Broad
Where we’ve chartered a boat with a lift on
And a cover, and toilet on board;
And perhaps we’ll go on to the sea-side
Where Molly and Martha can swim,
And Caro and Rachel and Freddy
(though I’m not really sure about him).
And we’d both become total recluses –
Well: what is the matter with that? –
But we’ve got an appointment at Lucie’s,
And Jan’s coming round for a chat;
And Janet and Steve for the weekend:
And then –Dear, I’m sorry I spoke,
But things simply have to be dealt with –
We have to go back to the Smoke:
For the Summer is well past its highest,
September is coming too soon
And Autumn will soon be upon us
And dinner by light of the moon,
But, Darling: the roses are blooming,
Wisteria – Pardon? Not yet?
Yes, I now that they’re recently planted
And shouldn’t – but Ecco!, my pet.
And the toads and the mice on the terrace
Still visit while we’re having tea,
And Wol’s reappeared, to rejoicing,
And Kingfisher might – wait and see –
And the sun has been shining since morning
And we’ve still got eleven days more;
So don’t be disheartened, my darling,
That’s not what this Eden is for:
And there’s bugs to be sprayed on the willow,
A dozen new plants to install:
We’ve nearly perfected our garden:
So onward – and bugger the Fall!