Earth and loam

I laid down several barrowfulls
of mulch upon the ground
covering the remaining grass
that's evident around
Not 'cos we don't like it
but on an allotment it's a pain
as every time we go there
it's strimming time again

New lavender III

Its flowers were no more and it
was definitely past its prime
but it was going really cheap
so I paid and made it mine
then took it to the lotty where
I gave it pride of place
a new lavender for the herbal plot
its presence there to grace
And bedraggled though it may be
I will nurture it with care
as it promises next summer
lots more lavender to share

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Heaven sent (reprise)

Concluding ‘The Lavender series’ from Jemverse (10 of 10)

Lavender is heaven sent
bringing peace and contentment
typified with fragrant scent
expressed here in this sentiment

Summer knows (reprise)

9 of 10 in ‘The Lavender series’ from Jemverse

Purple fields
fragrance high
sunshine bright
deep a sigh
Lavender
in perfect rows
ripe for harvest
summer knows

Heavenscent (reprise)

8 of 10 in ‘The Lavender series’ from Jemverse

It possesses a certain
something that soothes
and reminds me of summer
with its calming moods
Just a squeeze of the sachet
when winter is here
or a rub between fingers
when summer is near
brings out that pure fragrance
that, with purest intent
and a small play on words
is to me ‘heavenscent’

A place in the sun (reprise)

7 of 10 in ‘The lavender series’ from Jemverse

Our new bench sun trap captures the sun
right at the end of the day
Surrounded by lavender, it’s just what we need
for a rest from the frack and the fray

When it’s hot, I am (reprise)

6 of 10 in ‘The lavender series’ from Jemverse

I am part of the sunshine
It’s warmth lifts my soul
It revitalises and
with it I’m whole

I am part of the summer
Long days in the sun
with lavender lingering
when they are done

Lovely III (reprise)

5 of 10 in ‘The lavender series’ from Jemverse

Cabbage white on my lavender
fluttering about
It’s lovely out here
and I’d glad I am out
So warm in the sunshine
on this wonderful day
the middle of summer
with wildlife at play

Soliloquy (reprise)

4 of 10 in ‘The lavender series’ from Jemverse

Long days of sunshine
clear blues skies
sweet lavender
and butterflies
This time of year
my apogee
revered in this
soliloquy

A life worth living (reprise)

3 of 10 in ‘The lavender series’ from Jemverse

I might see a roaring wave
or a flower on the breeze
or a smile as something happens
or something brings me to my knees

I might feel a mountain
or a feather floating by
I might spill a thousand tears
as their beauty makes me cry

What the sun does (reprise)

1 of 10 in ‘The Lavender series’ from Jemverse

Yellow, warming, lifts my soul
Catches me and comforts. Gives me strength
Encourages smiles when smiles are scarce.
Breathes contentment.
It is a friend, closer in the summertime;
More distant in winter chill. But always there.
Always listening. Always rooting for my best interests.
It is lavender and jasmine and honeysuckle
Combined and lingering in the evening air.

That lavender time again VII

I've long had a passion for lavender and
that time of years' here with clippers in hand
my Trug* will be filled with fragrance divine
which I've grown through the year and now is all mine
Sometimes there are casualties, plants come and go
some prosper well, but others (you know)
may give a few flowers then give up the ghost
but that's not too often and thankfully most
at this time of year when summer is high
bring my lavender heaven replete for a sigh

At the eve III (part 1)

1 of 12 in the Jemverse summer 22 series ‘Melting Days’

At the eve of this day
I will lie back in lavender
and there will be evening sunshine
and a deep breath of contentment
and there I will find a smile

Lavender by the wall II

Yes, I treasure this small lavender
that's growing by the wall
as unlike all my others
I'm surprised it's here at all
And yet it keeps on growing
and flowering each year
to bring to me the pleasure
that I get because it's here
and diminutive it may be
but that holds no sway with me
for a lavender is a lavender
so I will let it be

Passion’s Fire

My lavender's showing promise
it never fails to please
and yet I feel a growing urge
this passion to appease
the need to find more hardy stock
and plant them in this place
to yield more of that loveliness
that comes with summer's grace
So I am on a nursery quest
more lavender to acquire
as its majestic fragrance
fulfils this passion's fire

Lavender Rescue

I'm salvaging some lavender
it wasn't happy where it was
so I've found a place, a sunny spot
whence it can thrive because
I'll tend it more and water it
and trim the bits that die
so hopefully some flowers will come
to harvest come July

Labour divine

Lavender production here in full swing
its fragrance filling the air
as jars of pure loveliness wait to be filled
on the table in front of me there

Every seed saved, the purple and mauve
cathartic this labour divine
Some given away, some kept just for me
as all of this lavender's mine

That lavender time again VI

Every year my lavender
features on this day
The twenty-third of each July
no matter, come what may

For this as each year passes
is that lavender time again
celebrating harvest time
from sunshine and the rain

And culminating in
this fragrance so divine
which comes from all the lavender
I pick around this time

Lavender by the wall

I didn't plant this lavender
that's growing by the wall
in fact I'm really quite surprised
that it is growing here at all

It must have grown from seed of course
from the crop I grow each year
and a stray stem I must have missed
though I'm careful, let's be clear

To harvest every one of those
as precious they all are
so I'm careful not to miss a one
I'm most particular

Sufficient to please

I am pleased with all my lavender
and though weeks yet til the chop
I've several plants now on the go
to bring a bumper crop

Still green of course yet now the shoots
here early into June
are good to see and promising
with all the flowers in bloom

New Lavender II

I bought some new lavender
and new earthenware pots
to place out the front
with the best sunshine spots
I hope it does well
and adds to the joy
that lavender brings me
(let's not be coy)
for its fragrance divine
when it's growing like this
is my form of heaven
and takes me to bliss

Late Lavender

In a patch by the pond
with driftwood surround
late lavender blooms in the sun
nurtured by hand
it’s now looking grand
with fragrance ’til summer is done

That lavender time again V

Permeating everywhere
heaven’s scent again
that ‘lavender time’ is here once more
bring on that sweet refrain

An afternoon spent bagging it
that heady fragrance there
as I breathe in its loveliness
a thing beyond compare

And what is totally sublime
is that throughout the year
I simply have to squeeze a bag
to rekindle summer cheer

First Lavender III

We’ve not been to our allotment
Covid-19’s seen to that
But Emily our daughter
has been keeping it intact
We’re seeing lots of pictures
which she takes from time to time
and I’m pleased to say as ever
that it’s looking mighty fine

Lavender bagging

Bagged up all my lavender
in bunches hung above me
drying out and making
all around me smell quite lovely
A bumper crop this year
has meant a lot more bags to do
which later on as little gifts
may find their way to you

For a smile

There are times such as these
when alone with my pen
and lavender scent in the air
I will, pensive of mind
sit here and unwind
and think of some verses to share

That lavender time again IV

I’m going to need a bigger basket
this year I think as I
harvest all my lavender
which has grown tall and high
For this year all my bushes
a bumper crop have grown
and I have much more lavender
than I have ever known

Two Lavenders

Bought two big lavenders in pots
two years or so ago
and whereas one has grown abundant
the other one’s been slow
Having said that, the one I planted
is the one that’s done the best
So there’s a lesson here I think
to learn and in that time invest