I use herbs a lot, and I relish their names. There’s one that doesn’t appear in this poem but has a particularly lovely name: mignonette.It’s definitely an old-fashioned herb, my mother grew it but I’ve not seen it anywhere since in her garden …
HERBS OF AN OLDER GRACE
I am a rack of dried herbs
oregano thyme sage
common mullein
a few years older than
basil bay marjoram
having gone through
years of dehydration
sere and crushed I wait
lavender mullein balm
crinkled and crisped
angelica borage dill
having uses beyond thought
senses more than six
reach for me daily
chervil fennel mint
savour and use my wonder
lovage savory parsley
know I never leave
you who hold me dear
Frame and The McGuire – ‘… a gentle yet striking novel about the way our perception influences our judgement of others.’ Amy Mathers. For ages 8-13 … published by Tradewind Books available on Amazon or your local bookstore.
1960willowtree 