Monday, May 02, 2011

Violets

The violets are blooming!  These  flowers speak of romance and angst.  Their tiny faces peer out through bunches of heart-shaped leaves and their fragrant perfume fills the air.  They are a flower of poets.  Shall we enjoy some classic poetry that has been inspired by this little gem?


The Violet
Johann Wolfgang Goethe
1749 - 1832


A violet in the meadow grew,

blushing quietly, quite unknown;
a pretty little violet.

A young shepherdess drew near,
with tripping foot and merry heart,
she came alone,
singing through the meadow.

If only, the violet mused, I were
the finest flower int he world,
just for a little while,
until the dear girl picked me
and pressed me to her heart 'til I died,
if only, if only for a quarter of an hour!

Alas! The girl approached
and paid no heed to the violet;
she trod it underfoot.

It sank and died, yet it rejoiced:
if I must die, at least I die through her,
through her, here, 'neath her feet.

Poor violet!
It was a pretty violet!




The Lost Love
William Wordsworth
1770 - 1850

She dwelt among the untrodden ways

     Beside the springs of Dove:
A maid whom there were none to praise
     And very few to love.


A violet by a mossy stone
     Half-hidden from the eye!-
Fair as a star, when only one
     Is shining in the sky.

She lived unknown, and few could know
     When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and, oh,
     The difference to me!




7 comments:

  1. Those poets, they can turn everyday wonder into pure mush.☺ Lovely little violets. It'll be awhile yet before we see them.

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  2. Lovely poetry! I have a tiny nosegay of violets on our mantle right now, and sneak another sniff each time I pass through the living room.

    I remember the first time I saw a YELLOW violet! What a shock! Now I have seen lavender, purple, white, pink, yellow and purple/white speckled.
    The true blue violet ones smell the very best!

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  3. I did not know that violets came in other colors other than violet-blue. Now I know! They certainly don't last over here because of the heat. And it's a wonder anything survives with the dust. :/ Hope you are having a great day. Tammy

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  4. Mine are blooming too - really the ones closest to my house. I love that yellow one!

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  5. Ohhhhhhhhhhh, La Tea Dah, how could that girl just mush the little violet? I thought she'd pick it and put it to her breast. It was, indeed, a poor little violet. Thanks for sharing. Susan

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  6. Not what I was expecting! These were sad... And I don't even like the girl in the first poem. :(

    Love the photos. :)

    Blessings, Debbie

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  7. Among my favorite flowers!

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