Sunday, March 21, 2010

Welcome Spring


Beneath the sunny autumn sky,
With gold leaves dropping round,
We sought, my little friend and I,
The consecrated ground,
Where, calm beneath the holy cross,
O'ershadowed by sweet skies,
Sleeps tranquilly that youthful form,
Those blue unclouded eyes.

Around the soft, green swelling mound
We scooped the earth away,
And buried deep the crocus-bulbs
Against a coming day.
"These roots are dry, and brown, and sere;
Why plant them here?" he said,
"To leave them, all the winter long,
So desolate and dead."

"Dear child, within each sere dead form
There sleeps a living flower,
And angel-like it shall arise
In spring's returning hour."
Ah, deeper down cold, dark, and chill
We buried our heart's flower,
But angel-like shall he arise
In spring's immortal hour.

In blue and yellow from its grave
Springs up the crocus fair,
And God shall raise those bright blue eyes,
Those sunny waves of hair.
Not for a fading summer's morn,
Not for a fleeting hour,
But for an endless age of bliss,
Shall rise our heart's dear flower

The Crocus
Harriet Beecher Stowe

13 comments:

abb said...

Crocus are the happiest flowers I know. Such a lovely post - and love Stowe's ode to the crocus.

Unknown said...

Such beautiful spring photos! I love it...and the perfect words you highlighted them with. Enjoy your day.

Tammy said...

Simply beautiful!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Magnificent.

Country Girl said...

One of her lesser known works, I assume? Beautiful, nonetheless! Love your crocus. And the poetry!

Hilary said...

I love crocus and I love purple.. therefore I love this post!

So can you do me a favour, come autumn.. and remind me to plant some bulbs? My crocus, tulips and daffodils have diminished considerably recently and I' not sure why. Thank you. ;)

Daryl said...

SO busy yesterday I didnt get here to see your post ... what a lovely way to start a dreary Monday.

Joanie said...

Pretty pretty crocus! Spring is here!

Unknown said...

Pretty flowers and poetry! Luv it.

Mary said...

Mmmmm, beautiful!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

Yes!!!! Spring!
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Shelley said...

'In Spring's returning hour'
Ahhh, just lovely.

Sassy said...

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!! I think I would love having crocus in my yard......I wonder if our heat would be nice to it?