Monday 2 June 2008

Litany of the Spring Flowers

It goes like this:



First, snowdrops stand alone against the winter.


Then pussywillows, primroses, daffodils by the roadside.



Next, lesser celandine, delicate windflowers, sweet purple violets.



(A gradual greening of the hedges and trees)



Blackthorn blossoms. A sudden abundance of dandelions.



Cowslips, lady's smock, daisies, forget-me-nots.



Stitchwort stars the bank, speedwells sprawl in grass, ferns unfurl tender fronds.



Bluebells, Queen Anne's lace, red campion, buttercups, jack-by-the-hedge, ramsons.



A froth of sweet-sickly hawthorn flowers.



Red clover, Welsh poppies, ox eye daises, early purple orchids, greater celandine, columbine, wild strawberries.



The momentum increases and as summer erupts I am overwhelmed in a profusion of foxgloves thistles woodruff meadowsweet birds' foot trefoil tufted vetch corn poppies knapweed rosebay willowherb purple loosestrife wild roses honeysuckle brambles mullein figwort...



...and I find myself out under the sun walking barefoot on soft grass listening to birdsong and smiling at the foolishness of lists.





7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pics. Beautiful words.
xo

Reya Mellicker said...

It's not a list so much as a lineage, at least to me.

What about elderberry? Did I miss that in your spring flower family tree?

The opening of blossoms in spring - it's like a symphony, too, isn't it?

laoi gaul~williams said...

wonderful! reading this was like walking up the lane behind our cottage!
and the elderflower is just starting to burst out down the lanes :)

Anonymous said...

From such lists poetry is born.

From such images dreams are brought into manifestation.

From such love we are made human.

Thank you for openly daring to declare your delight in life and living a life of wonder and magic.

Donald

Moonroot said...

Thank you all for your kind words!

Yes, Reya, I missed out elderflowers. They are out right now, so I will be making cordial soon. I didn't miss them out of the list for any reason, more that they come during the 'burst of summer' when I lose track of listing things and just enjoy the beautiful weather!

Unknown said...

Wow. Just lovely. I love this time of year.

kathyann said...

Lovely post and the pictures are gorgeous!!!
Love from Kathy and the girls