eucalyptus leaves

He treads mindfully on this earth. I often watch him extend his arm and snatch eucalyptus leaves from vast limbs. His fingers scrunch the sinewy fibres releasing aromatic oils into his palm. He brings the scent close and inhales. A knowing smile graces his features. It is a reminiscent smell, it is memory laden.

We walk together through this adventure. She Oak blooms are plucked for me. They join my haphazard vase of lavender stalks. He points out Blue Triangle butterflies as they alight from a nearby branch and we exhale; we still ourselves.

He photographs me in the magic hour. The fading sun setting fire to all it touches; a luminous glow.  I watch the care with which he places his feet mindful not to imprint on the surrounding flora. He pauses to observe a Black Shouldered Kite hover above searching the grasses for prey. It's what he does. This man is agile and strong and true and as long as the trees whisper I will carry his heart.

Steph x

Inspired by the magnificence of eucalyptus trees I created a scarf. Leaves were foraged and pressed overnight in between baking paper and my Shakespeare volumes. A two metre length of dense weave muslin was dampened and laid on the grass. The pressed leaves were strewn haphazardly over the muslin. Dye was mixed in an old large jar and added to a spray bottle and the muslin was sprayed paying particular attention to the leaf edges blending with light mists (I used Rit dye in dark brown). The leaves were carefully removed and the scarf was left to dry. The dye was then rinsed first in warm water and then gradually cooler water until it ran clear. It was hung in the sun to dry. I sprayed it with lemon scented eucalyptus oil to remind me of my love.