29. Oak leaves - for Bealtaine

A tapestry of greens

New oak leaves

It is May Eve and the Garden is on the cusp of summer. New threads join the tapestry of greens every day - vibrant new-leaf greens, yellow greens, mid-greens, dusky greens and bright greens.

Today, a special shade of ochre glows in the sunshine between cold showers - the oak buds are bursting open. Each leaf is perfectly formed but tiny, pushing its way out of the bud casing like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

Tomorrow is Bealtaine, May Day, one of the great Celtic festivals, a celebration of fire and the sun and the onset of summer. The oak leaves stretch out and expand in the sunshine, welcoming the light, welcoming life, welcoming summer.