A Matter of Pruning

Husbandry requires... an exacting touch, not sentimental hesitation. Upon the broad timber sill above the sink rests a weathered terracotta pot of wild thyme, its stems tangled from untended growth. Idle sprawl is an invitation to rot. Positioning myself beside the coarse rim, I drew the small craft knife from my belt and appraised the overgrowth. Choosing a single wood-hardened shoot that choked the younger shoots beneath, I severed it with one clean, horizontal stroke. The dry, peppery aroma released immediately into the cool air. A single disciplined incision... restores both balance and light to the entire canopy.