Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Green Thoughts in a Green Shade



Penn South - a development of tower blocks -was created in the 1960's to replace slums south of PennStation.
It's quite unusual in that several of the streets actually curve........and between the buildings are all sorts of gardens.



On 25th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, are community gardens. Little plots with flowers and vegetables.
Yesterday we were invited in to admire the lilies.



and the lavender............ an American robin was helping himself to almost-ripe cherries.



I wish I could add the smell of the lilies to the blog.
I thought of Andrew Marvell's Garden.
See an extract below.



What wond'rous Life in this I lead!
Ripe Apples drop about my head;
The Luscious Clusters of the Vine
Upon my Mouth do crush their Wine;
The Nectaren, and curious Peach,
Into my hands themselves do reach;
Stumbling on Melons, as I pass,
Insnar'd with Flow'rs, I fall on Grass.

Mean while the Mind, from pleasure less,
Withdraws into its happiness:
The Mind, that Ocean where each kind
Does streight its own resemblance find;
Yet it creates, transcending these,
Far other Worlds, and other Seas;
Annihilating all that's made
To a green Thought in a green Shade.

8 comments:

  1. A lovely respite in the middle of a bustling city.

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  2. Well, it's not Morocco (are you sick of me saying that yet?!) but it is tres colourful, tres woodsy, and tres wonderful that its right in the middle of a bustling city!

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  3. I love all the greenery and the robin. ;-)

    Paz

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  4. Wow this wasn't what I expected in NY. What a delightful garden. Would love to drink coffee there

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  5. Hello Elizabeth,

    Sorry to say that Friday will be my day off! Our big sale starts tomorrow, and we are busy trying to prepare for it. Crazy schedules. I will be around for the start of the sale tomorrow, and back again on Saturday and Sunday. If I miss you on Friday, I look forward to your next visit!

    xo

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  6. What a lovely gardens! In the middle of New York , it's amazing
    Thanks for your visit.

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  7. What a nice surprise to see, as I never imagined community gardens being set up in New York either. Looks like a perfect spot to escape the hustle & bustle of the city :)

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  8. It's great to see these lovely retreats in the middle of a big city! The atmosphere of the garden is wonderful! The first picture is so inviting! And:
    I could smell the lilies! ;o)
    Kind regards, Maria

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I look forward to hearing from you!