Last week, we received a message from one of our visitors. It was a poem by Julia Ruxton about Little Sparta. Julia wrote:

 

“Hi, I visited your wonderful garden a few years ago for my birthday treat and the experience stayed with me. It is such a special place. I wrote this poem shortly afterwards and thought I would share it.”

 

Little Sparta.

 

A pilgrimage of sorts

High up in the Pentland hills

Remote, weathered save for a few cows and sheep

And butterflies settling on thistles.

Once inside the garden cradles us

An enclosure of shady glades…some paths

Lead to nowhere and we have to retrace our steps.

Others meander towards 

Still pools with waterlilies and blue damselflies

We are on a journey

All around us are images of sailing boats and fishing nets.

A voyage of discovery

The Golden head of Apollo startles

And Daphne and Apollo flitting through the trees

Engage our classical souls.

Time’s arrow shot through the trunk of a tree

Bark, leaves and the shepherd’s hut

All conspire in the landscape

Arcadia on a Scottish Mountain

Peace and tranquility 

And the comfort of friends.

 

 

Julia Ruxton.