Dry

The gardenia bush, which bloomed months ago and has already been pruned, has put forth a single white flower. The lone blossom isn't very strongly scented (for a gardenia), but it still manages to give the jasmine some competition—at least in its immediate vicinity. Some of the other flowers aren't faring too well. The golden poppies have just about popped their last, and something—probably a gopher eating the roots—has killed a number of the petunias.

None of this distracts from the monotony of the days. We were denied our spring storms this year, and the browning of the grass lets me know that the soil regrets their lack as much as I do. The forest feels arid now, and the mountains are short of snow, and summer withers the edge of June. The persistent perfume of the jasmine as it ages takes on an unpleasant undertone reminiscent of overripe fruit. It all seems a bit funereal. What I'd like is to go walk next to the ocean, somewhere along the cool part of the coast north of the Golden Gate. What I settle for is one mixed berry flavored frozen fruit bar. The whole summer ahead, every other place too distant, I must pace myself.

( Sunday Verse )