Nature's Reckoning

There is still a faded sign remaining
reading "private" verging where
public property exists and which
should include that stretch of ravined
forested streambed the sign identifies.
An inexplicable legal glitch representing
personal entitlement where none should
be. A pillar of his community, church
elder, friends on the municipal,
law-making, law-breaking council.

The once lovingly, energetically tended
area, where he worked mightily in his
retirement years to wrest the initiative
from nature in his own untamed gardening
zeal had produced from her raw elements
through his botanical vision a veritable
hanging gardens albeit replete with
plants that ancient Babylon never saw.

He moved mountains of seasonal
detritus to be replaced laboriously by
richly amended soil, where ordered and
mannerly ornamental trees, shrubs
and perennials would lustily thrive.
He constructed an elaborate series of
stairs and terraces, arbors and gazebos,
fountains and ponds where swam exotic
gold and silver fish from the East.

Where sun filtered through the forest
canopy he planted perennials that thrived
in semi-shade, and where shade prevailed
he thoughtfully planted shade-loving plants.
He surveyed his work and proclaimed it
good, then posted additional "private"
and "keep out" warning signs lest anyone
blunder unaware, upon his treasures.

He feasted his eyes and his gloating pride
upon his success, his Shangri-la, inviting
glossy gardening journals to come along
at his behest to photograph and feature
his very private, exclusive, most exceptional
Paradise. Viewers were charmed, enthralled
and outraged at his assumption of the private
upon the public space and much heated
discussion ensued, two camps emerging,
those who deplored his hubris and those
who staunchly defended his green genius.

All moot, now. Nature has reclaimed her
possession. Gone the plethora of urns and
overflowing terra-cotta pots brimful of form,
texture and colourful blooms. Gone the leisure
chairs, lounges and tea tables. The stream now
runs unimpeded - gone the pools and the
exotic fish. Squirrels now run freely, no longer
trapped and excluded. Time has swept him into
history and his gardens to nature's reckoning.