Peacock Pie and wildflower seeds: Walter de la Mare’s poetic gardens
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
April 25, 1873
Dearest reader,
On this day, we remember the birth of Walter de la Mare, a poet whose whimsical verse has long enchanted the hearts of children and adults alike.
An English writer of exceptional charm, Walter is best known for his profound ability to weave childhood wonder and the magical essence of nature into his poetry and stories. His work remains a gentle invitation to see the world through eyes that sparkle with curiosity and imagination.
In his delightful poem Peacock Pie, Walter paints a tender picture of simple, enduring beauty:
A poor old Widow in her weeds
Sowed her garden with wild-flower seeds;
Not too shallow, and not too deep,
And down came April -- drip -- drip -- drip.
Up shone May, like gold, and soon
Green as an arbour grew leafy June.
Weeps she never, but sometimes sighs,
And peeps at her garden with bright brown eyes;
And all she has is all she needs --
A poor Old Widow in her weeds.
Isn't it enchanting to imagine such quiet devotion to a garden, tended with patience and care—just enough to nurture life without overwhelming it?
Walter's verse urges us to appreciate the gentle rhythms of growth and loss, to find contentment in simplicity and the silent companionship of our gardens.
As gardeners, do we not sometimes embody this widow’s humble wisdom?
How often do we sow seeds with careful hope, watching patiently through spring’s drip to feel May’s golden warmth?
What stories do your gardens whisper to you in the early morning light?
Does your own patch of earth hold secrets as sweet and serene as those Walter so lovingly described?
Let Walter de la Mare's poetry remind us that the smallest seeds often grow into the richest memories.
And that in the quiet act of tending, we cultivate not only plants but the very soul of our lives.
