A speaker wanders through a garden and notices every flower behaving with unusual intensity: roses blush, lilies look saintly, sweet-alyssum seems to smile and frown, and daisies appear strangely knowing. The hollyhocks and larkspur seem stirred and almost passionate. He cannot figure out why the plants suddenly feel so alive and attentive. Their small faces look eager, wise, and tender, as if they are about to share a secret or offer sympathy. Then he turns around and sees her standing there. The poem is a gentle, romantic glimpse at how love transforms perception: the garden’s heightened beauty and awareness reflect the speaker’s own feelings and the presence of the beloved. The mood is whimsical, enchanted, and full of affectionate surprise.
In the Garden — Summary
The roses blushed a deeper red, The lilies looked more saintly, The sweet-alyssum hung its head, And smiled and frowned most quaintly; The daisies even, at my feet, Were strangely knowing, strangely sweet;
The hollyhocks against the wall, So serious and old-fashioned, Were all astir, the larkspur tall Seemed really quite impassioned. I pondered, but I could not guess What made their sudden consciousness.
Where'er I looked, their little eyes Were eager, wise and tender, As if they had some new surprise Or sympathy to render — But, turning round all unaware, I saw that she was standing there !