Beth Camp Historical Fiction

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

#12: Monet's Garden

Monet's Garden at Giverny (Camp 2004)

One afternoon, we wandered
through Monet's garden at Giverny,
a day trip away from Paris,
with a few hundred others
and two lovers.
I don't think they noticed
the water lilies or
the formal gardens.
Instead they stopped to sit
on a Japanese water bridge
and dreamed of what lay ahead,
as ethereal and shimmering
with promise
as one of Monet's paintings.


Rachel and Nick at Giverny (Camp 2004)

Monet came to live at this lovely, quiet estate in 1883. The story I remember most is that he worked closely with a gardener to reshape and replant the gardens to his exact specifications. Then, early and late, he would go out to the garden to paint those amazing studies of his gardens that fill museum rooms today. 

Later in Philadelphia, we saw an exhibit of Monet's works. One room had been set aside for the very large water lily paintings. Outside it was snowing and dusk was falling, but inside, we were surrounded by Monet's garden.


Where Monet once lived at Giverny (Camp 2004)

Visit the gardens at Giverny online HERE for some amazing photos and more of Monet.


Hydrangea at Giverny (Camp 2004)

NOTE for OctPoWriMo poets: Today's poem is a repeat of a poem I wrote a few years back. I've thrown away the evening watching the news and felt in need of something beautiful, that magical day we spent with our daughter and son-in-law.

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