Yesterday, with the quick steps of our next hope
we returned to Tillybin,
where the present was vulnerable to the past.
The day before yesterday,
we returned to Crathes castle,
where in less than a lifetime
saplings have become ‘CHAMPION TREES’.
We were newly married, when I planted
‘our’ Goodnestone Spanish Chestnut tree.
In unspectated absence
it failed to thrive.
But joy, the Field Maples, that we also planted less than a lifetime ago
are now CHAMPION!
How ‘long ago’ it is, that almost by chance,
this ‘gifted gardener’ fell in love with a byordinar’ lass!
Together, we filled Tillybin with patterns of love.
Patterns, that if you know where to look,
still grow strong in the green of today.
There is so much sky around Tillybin.
We need no reminding of this!
It is in the green.
It is time to go Sian
for us to leave Tillybin.
Champion Trees are growing in our garden.
A poem written by Peter Scott-Gordon, 12 July 2024.
