Ode to tomato...

It seems not such a long time since we plotted out, and planted our vegetable garden in the spring. When I had only a bed full of soil and seedlings;

Now I am eating almost all of the garden!

And delivering baskets full of produce to my fellow tribesman;

Making lunch, and often dinner of it!

The truth is, tomato, I am in love with your form. Your perfect sweet-ish savoury-ness, your unbelievable colour, your versatility in the kitchen, (not to mention when I'm the garden with your vines and you don't even make it to the kitchen!)

The way you help me celebrate the summer every year, your photogenic quality - with such willingness to pose for me at any given moment!

Yes, I ode this post to you-

Tomato.

Shell xx

Endymion...

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its lovliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

by John Keats

{...and perhaps a case for justifying above recent purchase?!}

Shell xx