“Then, abruptly as they came, they’re gone, and the lawn is full of emptiness.”
– from Snow Geese by Barbara Crooker
Happy Poetry Friday!
One of my least favorite fall chores is getting my flower gardens ready for winter. It makes me sad to pull out the annuals and cut back the perennials, remembering their vibrancy just a few short months ago. It helps me to think forward and imagine the garden in spring. This week I read the poem “Snow Geese” by Barbara Crooker. I loved her last line (shown above) and the contrast between full and empty. It reminded me of my peony garden and inspired my poem for today.
Cutting Down the Peonies
In late fall
I ready the garden for winter,
rid the space of faded blooms
and sagging stalks.
The peony bush,
once filled with flower heads,
is ready to rest.
Each snip withers its vibrant soul
until the plant is nothing but nubs
and the garden fills with emptiness.
In early spring
new shoots reach through soggy ground
searching for sun.
There will be buds, pink and white,
filled with promise
and the garden will waken.
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli
Anastasia has the roundup today here where she offers a small poem about her first publication acceptance. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Oh Rose. This is so beautiful. I love reading your poem and looking at your garden photo. I am trying to learn to be a good flower gardener and will be snipping those peonies down next week. I need a garden mentor, and your poem provided me with inspiration. Thank you! Happy Decembering and poring over flower catalogs… xo, a.
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Thank you, Amy. I’m sorry I missed seeing you at NCTE. I haven’t been since 2019, but hoping maybe next year.
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Rose, that peony bed is gorgeous! I rather enjoy the fall gardening chores maybe best of all, when I am filled with faith that my efforts will be rewarded come spring…lovely poem, and one I will share with my Master Gardener buddies! Thank you! xo
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Thank you, Irene!
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What a glorious row of peonies! I love the hope in your last stanza — seeing those shoots push up in the spring is the best!!
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I literally get a choke in my throat thinking about how I had to leave my perennials -newly planted this year in Tahoe – for the frost and snow and pine needles – and who knows if the squirrels will have their way with them. And wonder what I’ll come back to in spring? It gives new depth to your consideration of full/empty.
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Oh I hope they are there, waiting for your tender care when you return.
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“nothing but nubs” — oh how sad, Rose! Thank goodness you finished with a happy ending.
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Rose, how do you grow such a stunning bed of peonies? Is there a trick? I have one peony plant that has been in the same location for 20+ years, and each year it gets a little more brown, chalky, and withered (I think I may have a fungus problem). I don’t think it even grew a single flower this year. You certainly know how to make your peonies happy. Just look at them smile!
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These peonies have always been outstanding, although they do get a little chalky by the end of the summer. I honestly don’t know if I’m supposed to cut them down in the fall, but I always have and they seem to come back with more buds each year.
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I will give it a try!
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Since I just have potted annuals on the deck, putting the garden to bed really means killing all the plants. Ouch! I extra love the confidence in this line: “There will be buds”
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It’s hard to give our gardens the rest they need for regrowth. That applies to us as well. I hope I can let my body rest after Christmas. It already feels like the rush is on. We need to cut back our butterfly garden at school. It will be hard because the blossoms are still so beautiful, but I know it is best for the butterflies.
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December is a wonderful month in school but it can also wear you out. I hope you get the rest you need.
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I only have two bushes of peonies, but I love them and adore your picture of so many, Rose. I trimmed it all last week, and as you wrote, “Each snip withers its vibrant soul”. Now time to wait! Your poem is a heart-felt poem for all gardeners.
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Thank you so much!
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I, too, like the hope of spring with its new blooms as a way to end the poem. I envy your green thumb. What beautiful peonies!
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Gosh your peonies are DIVINE! It’s my favorite flower, and ours just don’t do as well in our yard here because we have less sunlight. But when they bloom, I’m so, so happy.
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This poem (and this activity) is the definition of poignant: sorrow and joy mixed together! We had cherry tomatoes flourishing right up through last Monday and then came the first really below freezing night–and now they are drooped and withered, even while we still have a bowl of tomatoes ripening in the kitchen. Faded blooms and sagging stalks, farewell! *sniff*
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Rose, I wanted to see your garden and you brought it to us through this poem. Gardening is an art that my Nonnie shared with me when I was a wee little child. But alas, the clay soil out here is really difficult to maneuver. Digging is difficult so I have to ask the garden to add my new plants. I have three peony plants in my garden and can’t wait for spring. Love this line:
“Each snip withers its vibrant soul”
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Your poem is a lovely “peony for your thoughts”, Rose. 🙂
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Thank you, Carol.
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