It’s a blisteringly hot
summer’s day
(very un-Irish!)
and we decide to say our Rosary
in the garden.

A breeze gently brushes past
as we sit in the comfortable coolness
of the shade –
a welcome respite
from the scorching sun!

We are surrounded
by the sounds of summer.

Traffic sounds
out on the road.
Birds cheeping, trilling
and scolding all around.
Trees creaking
as the wind blows.
Water trickling musically
in a water feature.
The tickling of an insect
on my arm.

I ask Our Lady
to protect us,
to protect our family
and to protect mankind
in these uncertain,
unprecedented times.

And as we pray our Rosary
I have a sense
that Our Lady is sitting with us
right here,
in our garden-
peaceful, beautiful
and simply amazing.

Our Lady …
Queen of the Rosary,
Queen of Heaven
and, I sense,
Queen of our Garden!

© Claire Murray, 19th July 2021