For Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bishop with her cat, Tobias, in 1954

Chemin de Fer
(By Elizabeth Bishop)

Alone on the railroad track
   I walked with pounding heart.
The ties were too close together
   or maybe too far apart.

The scenery was impoverished:
   scrub-pine and oak; beyond
its mingled gray-green foliage
   I saw the little pond

Where the dirty hermit lives,
   lie like an old tear
holding onto its injuries
   lucidly year after year.

The hermit shot off his shot-gun
   and the tree by his cabin shook.
Over the pond went a ripple.
   The pet hen went chook-chook.

"Love should be put into action!"
   screamed the old hermit.
Across the pond an echo
   tried and tried to confirm it.


Here, I'll demonstrate my equivocation on the matter of determining a favorite poet. ;-)

On the typical day of the year, if asked, I'd say that my most beloved of poets is Emily Dickinson, but today, on her birth date, born in 1911, my dearest admiration goes out to Elizabeth Bishop, who's verse can gently pull my heart through scenes of humor, horror, or heroism.

Elizabeth Bishop was born on February 8, 1911.

I can write about her poetic genius endlessly. I could start another blog dedicated to studying her words. But, I think the best way to honor Elizabeth Bishop is to let her poems speak for themselves.

Pine Wind Garden

Pine Wind Garden: Three Level Waterfall


Size is not the determinant of quality. It's all about how skillfully you utilize that which you have. This is true for most aspects of life, but it is equally as important for laying out a garden.

The Pine Wind Garden (Sho Fu En) of the Torrance Civic Center is a prime example of how a small space can be transformed into a place of beauty. Designed by Takeo Uesugi & Associates in 1991, this small Japanese garden transforms a modest courtyard into a peaceful oasis of contemplation. Through creative techniques of delineating space, such as elevation contrasts or using a screen of trees to create a sense of seclusion, the garden feels as though it is much larger than it actually is.

Pine Wind Garden: Gateway

It always pleases me to find these little garden gems that are scattered across Los Angeles.