The Proposal: David's Version, Part 2

(Originally posted at David's blog, The Oak Hermitage.)

As I mentioned in my first engagement post, "the Ask" was meant to take place in the Oak Hill gardens by Martha Berry's home. Now, let's imagine what that would have been like...

The gardens are very formal: straight walkways, ornamental pools, hedges, statuary, sundials, gazebos, the whole bit. Effective on its own, the formality stands out in sharper contrast against the general "wildness" of the Berry campus, which is largely forested and overrun with deer and turkeys. In fact, this contrast (and a similar contrast at the Georgia Botanical Gardens) started a thought germinating, which eventually grew into the proposal sonnet.

This is, I think, one of the prettiest spots in the garden: a little fish pond surrounded by a round stone path, with a wisteria arbor on one side. Again, the formal beauty, with the particular elements, reminded me of larger themes. The arbor, in particular, reminded me of Adam and Eve's "blissful bower" as described in Book Three of Paradise Lost. It was the perfect spot.

The view looking up through the arbor. I reiterate: perfect.

However, it was not to be: Oak Hill closes at 5 pm, and we didn't arrive in Rome until after 6 pm. Instead, we went to Frost Chapel, which my dear readers have already seen. However, this past weekend Katie and I went to a wedding up at Berry, and had a bit of time before hand, in which we decided to simulate what the proposal ought to have looked like, if it had come off properly.

A SIMULATION, NOT AN ACTUAL PROPOSAL PHOTO.

Finally, for those interested, here's the sonnet:

AN EDENIC ICON:
A Marriage Proposal Couched
in an Overwrought Metaphysical Conceit

This garden is a cosmos framed by Love:
Its path runs like to Heaven’s starry course;
Here fire, earth, air, and water meet; above
Quintessent spirit breathes, all being’s source.
And here I walk, like Man fresh born of clay,
In nature’s ordered haven, Man’s true throne—
An image of creation’s perfect day—
As though this garden kingdom were my own.
But shall I rule a solitary lord?
If I’m alone, I’ll yet be discontent,
Though by all creatures named of me adored.
A queenless king cannot Man represent!
Yet from this shadow comes reality:
For with your will, this image whole may be.

Yes, I did totally rip off Milton in a number of spots. Steal from the best, dear readers, only from the best!