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.
