WHILE THE WILD IRIS BLOOMS

Photo from a series on an artist's garden. 'Irises After the Rain', J. Franks, for Saint George's Society, Presented in an album of Canadian gardens for His Majesty, King George III, on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday, 2022.

'What in your life is calling you? When all the noise is silenced, the meetings adjourned, the lists laid aside, and the wild iris blooms by itself in the dark forest, what still pulls on your soul? In the silence between your heartbeats hides a summons, do you hear it?' ~ Rumi

To start the New Year (of the garden Rabbit), we thought readers might enjoy seeing one of a series of photos, which were chosen for a yearly album of Canadian gardens for Her Majesty the Queen. This photograph, taken just after a rainstorm, served as a source of joy, since its photographer lacked an open garden space during the pandemic (Franks's balcony kitchen garden full of flowers and herbs did not leave much space to relax). These photos are also a reminder of a project the photographer did with an artist (Ontario College of Art and Design), whose William Morris-style garden was the setting for this photograph and growing friendship, in which they shared a love of cooking and homegrown produce. The vignette seen here is representative of the main garden's overall design, where swaths of flowers were planted to resemble a painter's brushstrokes. Due to the passing of Her Majesty the Queen in 2022, the album was presented to His Majesty King Charles III (on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday). The peacefulness of these 'Irises after the Rain' evokes the idea of growth in the midst of hardships, where seeds of hope and friendship may still be sewn. Wishing all a very Happy New Year, full of health and happiness.