Wisteria, Clematis, Tulips and Allium are but four of the hundreds of plants in the grounds of Arundel Castle, West Sussex, England.

Poem.

 

Motte, Rounded Towers,

Curtain Walls and an empty moat.

Parts of Arundel Castle go

back over a thousand years.

And here is a paradox.

An immense past is outshone by

the non-architectural present.

Summer is now effervescent with life.

Wonderful varieties and colours of tulip

Full-leaf Horse-Chestnut.

Blooming Narcissi carpet the glades.

White, flower-speckled Hawthorn.

Rich, dignified, contrasting Copper Beech.

Azalea, Magnolia and Cherry in leaf,

but already flowered.

Castles have the potential for war and violence.

The Grounds represent a sanctuary for peace

and a love of this remarkable natural world.

Done