(Woman Walking in Exotic Forest, 1905, by
Henri Rousseau, 1844-1910, French painter)
It’s a jungle out there, in your garden.
ADO
It grows too fast! I cannot keep pace with it!
While I mow the front lawns, the drying green becomes impossible;
While I weed the east path, from the west path spring dandelions,
What time I sort the borders, the orchard escapes me.
And then the interruptions! the interlopers!
While I clap my hands against the blackbird,
Michael, our cat, is rolling on a seedling;
While I chase Michael, a young rabbit is eyeing the lettuces.
And oh the orgies, to think of the orgies
When I am not present to preside over this microcosm!
~ Mary Ursula Bethell (1874-1945), New Zealand
