Some palm fronds are dead in
The tropical garden, you see.
No, spring time's not here yet
Vernal Equinox is its outset--
This fact--I have known it for years.
Still, the bulbs and some rhizomes
Pop some color into my home's
Drab winter garden and pots.
But the best thing in bloom now
Isn't showy or highbrow
It's the Herb of Remembrance; it's Rosemary.
This quite humble herb
Is used by cooks quite superb
In dishes with fishes and chicken
But the way I prefer mine
Is smelled like fine wine
With a waft of the scent to my brain
(It helps me work on my thinking
Instead of wine drinking
Too much in the afternoon warmth.)
Rosmarinus officinalis 'prostratus'
Is friendlier to visitors than the "Catus"
As it won't mind a pinch or a snip or a tug
So give it a try
If you chance to stop by--
Your brain and I
Will be ever so glad that you did!
Dear Walk2write,
ReplyDeleteI love rosemary - in small portions, because it is strong - and had it in my garden too. As a gardener: do you know the (nice) crime DVDs of 'Rosemary & Thyme'? Love them.
Clever prose!! Rosemary is a wonderful plant. I like the smell, but I don't like the taste. To me, it tastes like lestoil smells!!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful and I love the scent of it in the garden. I plan to try it again at some point. It never wintered over for me here:(
ReplyDeleteBritta, you're right about the rosemary. It has a very pungent odor, but it works for me. My brain must be shellacked over pretty good so it takes something really strong to get through:) No, I haven't seen the DVDs you mention. I will have to look into them.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Karen, I kind of agree with you there. And I do remember that Lestoil cleaner. Could be the association with the chore of cleaning that makes the smell so distasteful!
Tina, you have that wonderful greenhouse. If you don't mind the extra work, maybe you could prolong the rosemary's life there in the winter by potting it up. Or just take some cuttings before it freezes and make some "rosemary babies" for the next year.
I do love the smell! And we got into Venice late for a one night stand, ate at a great Italian ristorante, beach combed a little and joined at group of seniors at the shelter along the beach for a concert. Nice town really...:)
ReplyDeleteVery cool poem! I was just thinking I need to go "steal" my Moms bush as no one is there to care...so I could bring it home and love, smell and cook it!!!
ReplyDeleteRosemary is one of my faves, to smell or eat. and it grows perfectly and looks great in agave beds, the deep dark green making a nice contrast against the bluish leaves. I'd you do like the taste... it needs heat and sun to develop a strong flavor.
ReplyDeleteThanks, TB, for the tip on Venice. Sounds like Italian is the way to go while visiting there.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked the poem, Julie. Would it really be stealing if you took the rosemary? It was your mom's home and garden after all, and no one is taking care of it. It's an heirloom plant if anyone asks.
Claude, you know, the rosemary's flavor does seem a little subdued since it's been cooler for the past few months. Your suggestion about planting it with agave sounds like a good one. The contrast would be pretty, and they both have similar watering requirements.
We love to cook with rosemary too, especially on chicken, and it gives such a nice scent to the garden.
ReplyDeleteI love rosemary too. I can't have it in the house since I seem to end up sneezing lots, but I have a plant along the side of my house and it is wonderful for cooking and making infused oils.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE rosemary! Speaking of remembrance, remember when they were making them into wreaths at Christmas? One touch, and your hand smells wonderful~ <3
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for my Siberian iris to show up. Maybe some rosemary will help me be patient
ReplyDeleteI grow it for the scent, too, and rarely use it in cooking. I grew some in a pot two years ago and it actually survived the winter last year! I doubt that will happen this year.
ReplyDeleteHaving rosemary in the garden is surely a great benefit as it is used to prevent balding and as a hair conditioner. Rosemary is also the herb of memory, the leaves were supposed to quicken the mind and prevent forgetfulness.
ReplyDelete