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!
