A Legacy of Greening

by Marguerite Doyle

My father had no acres to plant ferns

like you see in the woods,

dappled with light piercing the forest

canopy.

Instead, he set them in ones

or twos along the pathway to the door

of our terraced house,

their presence now a deep-layered

canvas of fronds

showcasing wild primrose

and bluebells

that ring over shepherd’s purse.

City dwellers pass by each day

where ferns green

their footfall or wait in snow

until the rain reminds

them to lift their croziers in spring.

Inspiration: The theme inspired me to think about how nature is itself a place. The smallest city spaces can provide the backdrop for all kinds of plants and flora for us to enjoy as we go about our busy lives.

Image by endro lewa from Pixabay

Marguerite is a poet, writer, and recent graduate of an MA in Creative Writing. She is interested in exploring her immediate surroundings as the poetic space.