tilling the soil ...

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of John Burroughs' work - and do think he's greatly under-rated ...

... here's my very favourite passage of his writing, which I was reminded of whilst down at The Allotment earlier today ;-)

Main snap above shows that all is still remarkably green; and the extra shows the view from our shed-door:


I am in love with this world

I am in love with this world ... it has been my home.
It has been my point of outlook into the universe.
I have not bruised myself against it, nor tried to use it ignobly.

I have tilled its soil,
I have gathered its harvests,
I have waited upon its seasons,
and always have I reaped what I have sown.
While I delved, I did not lose sight of the sky overhead.
   
I have climbed its mountains, roamed its forests,
sailed its waters, crossed its deserts,
felt the sting of its frosts, the oppression of its heats,
the drench of its rains, the fury of its winds,
and always have beauty and joy waited upon my goings and comings.

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John Burroughs (1837 – 1921)

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