Arboretum Diary

"All the stocks and stakes are shouldering arms. What are they waiting for? There won't be any grapes this year and the vine leaves will only be of use for statues." – Renard, "The Vine"











5/25

The boardwalk lookout at Gardener Marsh is guarded by the cattails and marsh reeds day and night. You see them peering-in, here and there, through the railings to find who has arrived to binocular the faint wetland marshlands ahead. They too perk their ears to the calling of the red-wing or passing

geese. There is no such thing as a breeze that does not have to pass through them first, tested, then let go again. When the time strikes they stiffen to the landing of a warbler or rarely a goldfinch, and even though they may temporarily bristle, they secretly wave attention and wait for the conversation to come around again.