Dorothy Frances Gurney - God's Gift - Farmers Branch, TX
N 32° 55.415 W 096° 53.429
14S E 697250 N 3644789
Poet and hymn writer, Dorothy Frances Gurney, is quoted on a sundial at the north end of The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch at Gussie Field Watterworth Park, 2610 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX.
Waymark Code: WM1399P
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/17/2020
Views: 2
Unfortunately, the sundial is missing its gnomon, rendering it unusable. The plate itself is mounted on a fairly generic concrete base, although that it appears to be coming out of a rose is an interesting look. Roman numerals are around the outer perimeter, while the gardener's tools are inside, and they complemented the gnomon when there was one. Wikiquote (see link below) accurately describes the use of Gurney's work here:
The second to last verse of her best-known poem, "God's Garden" is seen everywhere on signs, plaques and other garden ornaments, but few people know its author.
"Originally written in Lord Ronald Gower’s visitor’s book. It was inspired by his exquisite garden at Hammerfield Penshurst."
The full text of the poem is:
The Lord God planted a garden
In the first white days of the world,
And He set there an angel warden
In a garment of light enfurled.
So near to the peace of Heaven,
That the hawk might nest with the wren,
For there in the cool of the even
God walked with the first of men.
And I dream that these garden-closes
With their shade and their sun-flecked sod
And their lilies and bowers of roses,
Were laid by the hand of God.
The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
For He broke it for us in a garden
Under the olive-trees
Where the angel of strength was the warden
And the soul of the world found ease.