The Agony in the Garden

Cherry

By onemorething

Sat, 08 Aug 2020
  • 1400 reads
9 comments
 

The aphids thrive in lineages of females,

genesis in virgin births, outbreaks

farmed by ants, all tireless 

across growth in a joint enterprise

to balance overwhelm by sowing 

this slow decline, but still my hands

twist at the earth, determined,

churn it to stem the flow.

Here, beneath the temple of their sky,

charged with offerings of bird and wind

and light, we make enquiries

of the dead for the secret of rain, but

what survives is what is loved,

what insists, even while here, too,

all truths are pocked with compromise,

we each enact our own battle to prevail,

we choose our gods 

and host of measures against betrayal,

we plant gardens of prayers.

 

Image from wikimedia commons: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lo_Spagna_(c.1450-1528)_(attributed_to)_-_The_Agony_in_the_Garden_-_NG1032_-_National_Gallery.jpg

 

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

What's the relationship between these thoughts and the painting? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by onemorething on

I suppose that we are all trying to make our way, survive in negotiation with ourselves, others, the world around us, the garden and the act of gardening is similar to me, in compromise with everything that lives in it too, and the painting reminded me of that struggle of/ for love and trust. I suppose, too, the connection to what belief systems we choose to help us through, we are all just trying to get by alongside others, the best we can.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Though the painting (its ornateness rather distracts from the raw historical agony that it is supposed to be representing) is actually dealing with a historical event where there was real prayer to the Creator of this universe by the divine Son because of the huge agony ahead if he is to take punishment for those who trust him in that death on the cross. And fallible supporters were sleeping as he agonised and prayed.

Our struggles to get along with others and choose the belief we fancy, is I suppose best seen in the light of that event, and its call of grace. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by onemorething on

I'm sorry if it offended you when you initially saw the painting and read my poem, that would never be my intention at all. Am happy to remove the painting if it appears disrespectful to you. Just let me know and I'll take it down. :)

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

No offence, Rachel. Something to discuss! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Ok, good, am glad. :)

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks for the cherries. :)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's amazing what nature can teach us. The struggles of the garden are similar to our own struggles in life. Nature can be beautiful, but it can also be cruel too, but that's just part of life in the end.

This was how I read your poem. It makes you think.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

That was pretty much what I meant, Jenny, yes. Thanks for reading and your thoughts about it, a somewhat more coherent explanation than my own so thanks for that! Hope you're keeping cool, I remember how you hate the heat like me. I'm waiting for a storm, no sign yet. Rachel :)