Firewheel

The firewheel tree is flowering in my garden. This tall narrow tree is an Australian native but not indiginous to this area. It comes from the warmer north where its unusual red flowers show earlier in the year. Here they are an early autumn treat.

Firewheel tree flower (Stenocarpus soinuatus)

Words to walk with:
The Pulley by George Herbert (1633)
"When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by;
Let us (said he) pour on him all we can:
Let the world’s riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way,
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honor, pleasure
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that, alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.

For if I should (said he)
Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in nature, not the God of nature:
So both should losers be.

Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.