Category: Life & Nature

Some plants arrive with more spirit than we expect, and Theo was one of them. He pushed up far too early, braved the winter cold, and grew into a bold, towering presence in my garden — a true Romeo among the flowers. His season was brief but wholehearted, rising from a tiny seedling to a generous summer giant before gently returning to the earth.

The photos below trace his small but memorable journey, followed by a poem and a quiet Damien Rice song that felt just right for his farewell.

Theo is transplanted from the gravel path into my large planter box. (early June)

When I came back from my trip to Canada, on September 23rd, Theo was indeed looking very sick, and we thought he mightn’t survive …

But during the spring weather of October and November, Theo did thrive …

With flowers and fruit by the end of December …

Yes, Frankie, we spotted red tomatoes in early January …

Early March, and Theo’s crop of fruit has not been large, mainly due to his premature birth and my 4-week absence in Canada, but we are very proud of Theo’s effort to be one of nature’s providers …

Theo, My Garden’s Romeo


From little things, big things grow –
a tiny seedling in the snow.
So brazen and bold,
he survived the winter cold

A time-defying green tower,
with serendipitous spring flowers
and summer fruit for my garden dell –
Theo’s life was wildly swell.

Then, prematurely – like his birth –
his wilted girth
slowly began to return to the earth

Ivor Steven ©  March 2026

Rain still falling, sun breaking through, and the sky opening into two bright arcs. A moment too rare to ignore — and one that followed me into my dreams

Under the Leaking Astrodome



Despite the steamy summer rain,
Nature beckoned me to keep walking.
The late afternoon’s overcast sky
Was her theatre’s silver screen.

Within the leaking astrodome,
I witnessed a grand mystical show.
Sunbeams were breaking clear
From behind the shrouding clouds,
And a long, majestic rainbow arch –
not just one bright rainbow ribbon,
but a magical double rainbow.

How serendipitously fortunate was I,
even if I was soaked to the bone.
Ancient mythologies say that such rare revelations,
whisper of storms clearing within the spirit.

Ivor Steven ©  March 2026