Words + Images

I have written before of my views through various Somerville windows especially the ones in Steve’s kitchen.   From one window in particular I like to stare down into a small garden.  This year the landlord has been preoccupied so the garden is overrun in a beautiful way.  Rose and purple morning glories entwine every surface, including the tall stalks of the sunflowers.

Greek oregano overshadows Thai basil.  Rosemary holds its own against a crumbling retaining wall.  Green tomatoes grow ever larger watched lustfully by gray squirrels that live in the adjacent oak tree and the “rat” whose home is beneath the garden.  I put rat in quotes because there is some disagreement whether the furry fellow is a rat or some other long-nosed, long-whiskered, long-tailed creature. Regardless, I still call him Roscoe Rat when I spy him nibbling on roots.  No names do I give to the sparrows, starlings and sparrows.  There are just too many and while lovely they seem indistinguishable as they skip around for insects and seeds.  Nor do I try to name the most recent visitor, a bright yellow finch.  Each morning for a week it has dropped out of the sky to alight upon the sunflowers.  Each visit is only five seconds or so.  How much longer he will visit before migrating onward I do not know.  Even if he should appear no more the memories of his presence remain indelible.  Two shades of gold together, feathered and petaled, touched by early morning sunlight.