DAYS IN MY GARDEN 



that the scilla is at its best, no longer stunted, now 

 it rises in all its pride and beauty, throws high its 

 head all starred blue, mingling all shades of dark 

 and light it knows no rivalry of crews of eight 

 but unabashed wears both colours, yet always true 

 blue, almost shaming its stiffer cousin the hyacinth, 

 whose heavy head and tender juicy stem often falls 

 a victim to April's sudden storms. At home, in half- 

 shade, the scilla makes a blue carpet, no mean setting 

 for the blooms above, and multiplies its race in tiny 

 blades of grass-like green, perhaps to meet an early 

 death by unrespecting hoe. 



36 



