Moments of Calm: Poetry and Early Mornings At Kew

 

As I sit down to write this I’m aware I have not always felt very calm over the last week or so.  I have had lots of work on and various deadlines to meet.  This has kept me a little too busy and my brain somewhat overactive as I juggle my various jobs!  I have had to make a concerted effort to make some time to be still, step away from the desk and breathe!

Poetry

Poetry always helps keep me grounded and I recently bought myself a copy of A Nature Poem For Every Day of The Year, edited by Jane McMorland Hunter.  It is a beautiful book and one I have had my eye on for sometime.  Every time I have been into a book shop in recent months I have gravitated towards it picking it up and putting it down again.   Recently I decided to treat myself to it and I’m so glad I did.  It is a gorgeous collection of nature poems.  I keep it on my desk and try to start each morning by reading the poem for that day.  That along with Scala radio playing gently in the background seems to be a good way of grounding myself for whatever the day will bring

One of my favourite poems this week was The Lilac is in Bloom by Rupert Brooke.

“Just now the lilac is in bloom,

All before my little room;

And in my flower-beds I think, Smile the carnations and the pink

I was especially taken with this poem as the subject of it is the old vicarage in Grantchester.  I’m currently watching my way through the Grantchester TV series based on the books by James Runcie. So I currently feel very familiar with the vicarage at Grantchester!

I also received a lovely book of poetry in the post this week from a kind friend.  ‘Off The Shelf – A Celebration of Bookshops in Verse’ edited by Carol Ann Duffy could have been written for me.  I have had this book in my bag all week and found myself dipping in and out of it at various occasions.

Early Mornings at Kew

I recently became a member of Kew Gardens. Despite living in West London for aeons, I have never been a member before.  There are many benefits to membership, but one of the most exciting for me is being able to visit the gardens between 8-10am from May until September.  This is two hours before the gardens open to the general public and is such a privilege.  At this time of day the gardens are almost empty and on a beautiful sunlit morning with the promise of a fresh day ahead there is little that can compare.  I have often wondered what it might feel like to be locked in Kew Gardens after hours, and I think it might feel rather like this.

At this time of year nature seems to change so quickly with new flowers and shrubs bursting into flower all the time.  In the last few weeks I have seen vast swathes of tulips and then alliums come and go.  Currently huge clusters of Rhododendron bushes are bursting with blooms.  Scarlet, hot pink, creamy white and gentle mauves line the paths of a  particular corner of Kew.  Walking amongst these at the beginning of the day watching the bees go about their busy work is a complete joy. This little corner of quiet London is one I am very thankful for.

I have a busy few days ahead with a some lovely days away are at the end of it.

Whatever the week holds for you I trust you too will find some precious moments of calm.