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Gary Radice | + Follow Poet |
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The Walled Garden

Listen to poem:

a bench with ornate arms and scrolling
bathed in shards of early light
inside four walls of climbing roses
grown entwined and trained to height.

within the silence of mid morning
perfumed heat that melts the hours
attracts the bees that prey and worship
on life's purple passion flowers.

the symmetry of formal hedging
leads the eye in one straight line
to where a sundial in the heat haze
casts its shadow marking time.

the joy and beauty of hibiscus
flowering bright where no one goes
down secret paths in secret corners
where the scented jasmine grows.

Copyright © Gary Radice | Year Posted 2021

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Sara Kendrick Date: 4/7/2025 5:11:00 AM Congratulations on your winning work in Brian's contest. Way to go. Thanks for sharing it with us. Sara K Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/7/2025 11:46:00 AM Hello Sara. I hadn't realized I was among the winners until I read your comments. Thank you for your comments and ongoing support. Cheers - Gary

thriveni c mysore Date: 4/6/2025 1:37:00 AM Some paths in the garden are better left untrodden for gardener's sake. After reading through your notes below, I reread the poem, marvelous. Reminded me of Rubaiyat's towers. Congratulations on your win dear poet. Cheers!!! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/7/2025 11:42:00 AM Thank you thriveni. I will have to look up Rubaiyat's towers as I've not heard of this before. I appreciate your comments thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley Date: 2/4/2024 5:25:00 PM Dear Gary, I'm delighted to return to re-read your beautiful poem and to offer my heartiest congrats for your excellent win in Brian's contest. What a joy to read this gem again! A fav! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/9/2024 8:25:00 AM Dear Gary, thank you for providing the background story for your amazing poem. I enjoy knowing about the inspiration and ambience behind this beautiful piece. The “four walls” contain and frame your metaphors beautifully. Discovering “secret paths and secret corners” is the spice of life! Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and your brilliant poetry.. ~Sue Gary Radice Date: 2/4/2024 10:25:00 PM Thank you Susan for returning and for your lovely comments. Sitting in the walled garden at Dunham Massey in Cheshire, England and the weather that day wrote this poem. :) The four walls with the trained climbing roses along with the formal hedging and passion flowers represent the structures, formalities, rules, beliefs and regulations that surround us in life's garden. The bench in the poem represents our own comfort zone where many of us choose to stay (the easier option) rather than pushing ourselves to explore the joy and beauty of life's 'secret paths and secret corners' before time (represented by the sundial here) catches up with us. EDIT: I will add though that I think it works better as a simple poem about a walled garden. :) Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne Date: 1/19/2024 6:54:00 PM A true celebration of a garden's flourish and beauty. Each stanza has an image (or 2) explored, extended, and not piled on in one line after another. No poetic overload, here, but rather an image given weight in a full stanza. Congratulations on your placement, Gary. Be well. Brian Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/20/2024 2:13:00 AM Thanks Brian. I love your comments! Your description "a true celebration of a garden's flourish and beauty" is just wonderful. Thank You! :) Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley Date: 10/26/2022 4:50:00 PM Dear Gary, your beautiful imagery and a lovely lyrical rhythm takes my heart’s imagination to an enchanting place. I just adore “perfumed heat that melts the hours” - a stroke of genius! Your brilliant artistry shines throughout this exquisite piece. Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 10/28/2022 11:29:00 AM Amen to that, my friend.. Gary Radice Date: 10/28/2022 3:10:00 AM Thank you Susan. I truly appreciate your lovely comments. I think the whole world could do with taking time out in a walled garden at the moment - just for the peace. Cheers - Gary

Arlo Parker Date: 10/18/2022 1:02:00 AM A lovely piece, Mr. Radice. Contest worthy. ~:o) Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 10/18/2022 9:18:00 AM Thank you Mr. Parker. Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

John Watt Date: 10/15/2022 6:37:00 PM Gary, a very lovely description of a garden scene; it quiets the soul and delights the imagination. Your imagery and cadence are spot on and your creative phrasing brings a smile (I liked 'perfumed heat that melts the hours' and 'symmetry of formal hedging' the most) as did the Radicean pun of 'prey and worship'. Love it, and so proud of you for ongoing success in the marathon. Apologies for the lack of visits recently... life has been rather involved as of late. Cheers ~ John Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 10/16/2022 3:00:00 AM John, I can always count on your good self to spot a 'Radicean pun'. :) This is the highest any of my poems have got in the marathon, most run out of steam before the finish line but I have to say that I'm really enjoying the fun of it all. Hope to read you soon. Take care. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne Date: 10/13/2022 9:09:00 PM Beautifully written, Gary. Your enticing garden invites reflection, thought, + a celebration of nature's grand splendor. Congratulations! Brian Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 10/14/2022 12:26:00 PM Thank you Brian! Mission Completed! :) Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney Date: 10/13/2022 7:36:00 PM Gary, this is a delight to read and visualize. I'm eager to continue "down the "secret paths in secret corners where the scented jasmine grows." Another stanza or two, perhaps? Congratulations on your podium finish on Mile 16 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 17 has already started. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 10/14/2022 12:30:00 PM Hi Mark! Much appreciated. I decided to keep as was and leave it up to the readers' imaginations. Thanks again for 'running' the marathon. I'm running out of poems to submit that have less than 30 lines though. :) Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck Date: 4/26/2022 12:33:00 PM Hi Gary! Another beautiful poem. "Perfumed heat that melts the hours..." so lovely. Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/27/2022 12:49:00 AM Thank you Ann. I feel that line, in particular, captures the essence of a walled garden in the height of the summer heat. Glad you like it. Cheers - Gary

L. J. Carber Date: 4/23/2022 7:14:00 AM Congrats Gary--I especially liked the bit of mystery in the final stanza... Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/23/2022 7:41:00 AM Thank you L J. for your valued comment. Cheers - Gary

Greg Gaul Date: 4/21/2022 4:47:00 PM Gary, your descriptive imagery talents stand out here in this piece. I especially liked the first stanza and the trained reference in its last line. I look forward to reading more of your works. Your creativity is admirable. Thanks for your time and commentary. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/22/2022 11:57:00 AM Thanks Greg. Much appreciated. The four walls with the trained climbing roses is a (somewhat obscure) metaphor of mine (along with the formal hedging and passion flowers) for the structures, formalities, rules, beliefs and regulations that surround us in life's garden. I'll add that the bench in the poem represents our own comfort zone where many of us choose to stay (where it's peaceful and hassle free) rather than pushing ourselves to explore the joy and beauty of life's 'secret paths and secret corners' before time catches up with us. Of course, it's just a nice walled garden too. :) Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman Date: 4/21/2022 10:01:00 AM Gary, congratulations on your win! What a wonderful scene of quiet beauty you set! It is a joy to sit with you and inhale all of the loveliness! All the best! Cheers! I do love your reflections on city squares, outdoor cafes, garden benches and seaside hideaways - just name a few! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/21/2022 10:12:00 AM Thanks so much for that Sam! I love writing about all those things and Poetry Soup has given me that opportunity to share what I like with others. I wanted to paint a picture of a garden in a way that allows the reader to explore it further. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck Date: 4/21/2022 7:40:00 AM Very beautiful poem, Gary. Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/21/2022 9:21:00 AM Thanks Ann. What with everything going on in the world right now I'd just love to be sitting on that bench. :) Gardens are an escape, a place of relaxation, a means of therapy and a work of art in themselves. Cheers - Gary

Christuraj Alex Date: 4/20/2022 7:18:00 PM "the joy and beauty of hibiscus flowering bright where no one goes" - Beautiful picture. Congratulations! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/21/2022 3:21:00 AM Thank you Christuraj. I always try to paint pictures with my words so your comment means a lot. Cheers - Gary

Bj Legros Kelley Date: 4/20/2022 5:48:00 PM Gary, thank you for your submission and congratulations on your first-place win in the Garden Inspirations Poetry Contest! I have jasmine blooming in my garden now :) This was so peaceful. ~BJ Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 4/21/2022 3:20:00 AM Hi BJ Thank you once again for sponsoring another great contest. I'll be reading all the winning entries later today. Cheers - Gary

Laura Leiser Date: 2/2/2021 8:10:00 AM What a lovely, desirable bench to sit in, Gary! I would love to sit there and enjoy the beauty of it..great poem! :) Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 2/2/2021 8:21:00 AM Hi Laura - thanks so much for stopping by and reading.

Beryl Edmonds Date: 2/2/2021 6:31:00 AM That’s lovely Gary, I can picture the rose walled garden, see myself on the ornate bench and enjoying the intoxicating jasmine scent... Belle Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 2/2/2021 7:05:00 AM It's so nice to escape somewhere peaceful isn't it? Somewhere away from the hassles of modern day living. Cheers Belle - Gary.

Juliet Ligon Date: 1/27/2021 8:27:00 AM Beautiful time out series. Nice details. Sounds like a lovely place to be. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/27/2021 8:50:00 AM Thank you Juliet. I appreciate your comments. Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick Date: 1/23/2021 12:53:00 PM I like this hidden garden. Congrats on your winner. Sara Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/23/2021 2:35:00 PM Thank you Sara for your lovely comments.

Geoffrey Brewer Date: 1/20/2021 6:41:00 AM I find delight in your use of rhyme, rhythm and imagery, with a simplicity that belies the skill of the writing. Well done, Gary. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/20/2021 7:02:00 AM Thank you for that fantastic compliment Geoffrey, particularly as its from a poet of your great standing. Cheers - Gary

Sand Blown Date: 1/19/2021 2:34:00 PM ...nice...wright on....an oldt park bench was my rest stop when cycling......stan sand Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/19/2021 2:56:00 PM Thank you Stan. There's something about a park or garden bench that inspires me to write. I appreciate your visit and read. Cheers - Gary

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 1/19/2021 11:34:00 AM Hello Gary a beautiful scene with your words. Flowers of any types are beautiful. although we all have our favourites. Enjoy your day my friend. Login to Reply Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 1/19/2021 3:10:00 PM Hello Gary, you are so welcome. Cheers Darlene. Gary Radice Date: 1/19/2021 11:40:00 AM Darlene, thank you for your lovely words and thank you so much for your visit. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman Date: 1/19/2021 10:08:00 AM Gary, you have created a hidden garden of beauty with your lovely words of imagery. There is such a strong sense of the perfume of flowers in your garden. Thank you for inviting us to sit with you in this secret, magical hideaway. Well done my friend. All the best. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 1/19/2021 1:01:00 PM Gary, I am so honored! Can't wait to visit more of your garden! Sending positive vibes and best wishes my friend! Gary Radice Date: 1/19/2021 11:46:00 AM Thank you Sam. It was really your comments about another poem of mine that influenced this one with your words "an invitation to explore" I plan to revisit this walled garden in future poems and explore other parts of it and hopefully bring readers along..not sure exactly how yet but I will. Thank you - Gary

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh Date: 1/19/2021 6:08:00 AM Amazing ! A lovely poem well penned. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 1/19/2021 6:11:00 AM Thank you Akham - I really appreciate your comments.