Inscription for a Garden Gate

Pause, friend, and read before you enter here

This vine-clad wall encloses holy ground.

Herein a mellowed garden dreams

away the years,

Steeped in serene, sweet light

and muted sound.

Herein tranquility and peace abide,

For God walks here at cool of

evening-tide.

Pause, friend, and strip from out your heart

All vanity, bitterness, all hate;

Quench, for this hour, the fever of your fears.

Then, treading softly, pass within this gate.

There, where the ancient trees wait

hushed and dim,

May you find God and walk awhile with Him.

Pearl Council Hiatt

Anna Hyatt Huntington selected this poem to be used at the gate of Brookgreen Gardens in 1959.  It was written specifically for Brookgreen in homage to its splendid avenue of live oak trees. 

I recently spent a beautiful morning admiring the oaks, the floral bounty, the wildlife, the many fountains and sculptures of Brookgreen Gardens.  I also took a meditative stroll through the labyrinth.  If you have plans to visit coastal South Carolina, I highly recommend this beautiful, serene garden.  Brookgreen also has an extensive aviary and butterfly house.  The entry fee allows you to come to the gardens all week.  A very good deal for $12.00