What Secret Purple Wisdom
What word informs the world,
and moves the worm along in his blind tunnel?
What secret purple wisdom tells the iris edges
to unfold in frills? What juiced and emerald thrill
urges the sap until the bud resolves
its tight riddle? What irresistible command
unfurls this cloud above this greening hill,
or one more wave – its spreading foam and foil –
across the flats of sand? What minor thrust
of energy issues up from humus in a froth
of ferns? Delicate as a laser, it filigrees
the snow, the stars. Listen close – What silver sound
thaws winter into spring? Speaks clamor into singing?
Gives love for loneliness? It is this
unterrestrial pulse, deep as heaven, that folds us
in its tingling embrace, gongs in our echo hearts.
by Luci Shaw in The Green Earth: Poems of Creation
Beautiful words and beautiful images! thank you Polly.
Since we have spent more time at home and in the garden these last two years, I have discovered things I hadn’t realised before!
We are not keen gardeners but my husband keeps the garden tidy and what is grown in it is mainly what we inherited from previous owners or what nature has given us. However, there always seems to be something in bloom to sustain the insects, which is truly wonderful! I am very grateful for nature’s bounty.
Sigh. Nature’s beauty and bounty.
Did James grow these Iris? (“Floral apostles”) Congrats, James!
Thanks for posting, Polly!
Yes he did! Such a blessing.
Tennessee’s state flower. Always associate the Iris with hope for new life, new love, new horizons.
Thank you for introducing me to wonderful, amazing authors.
Love the pictures of your elegant flowers.