Photo by Rita Bourland © 2012
Lily of the Valley
Legends
speak of tiny blooms,
sprung from
Eve’s sad weeping,
or Mary’s
tears on bended knee
beneath the
cross on Calvary,
or from the
blood of knighted men
on battlefields of valor,
from sorrow came the flower,
from sorrow came the flower,
winking in
the gentle wind,
its lush
perfume aloft,
who’s the
fairest of them all?
‘tis thee
thy dainty one,
each bell a
fragile vessel,
a tiny
fairy cup,
suggesting
sips of nectar sweet,
to lips so raw from winter,
a balm and rare elixir,
but taste ye not its tender bloom,
a balm and rare elixir,
but taste ye not its tender bloom,
a poison it
will offer,
enjoy the
scent, the visual feast,
but taste
ye not the flower,
lest sorrow
come the morrow.
So interesting about the legends and it makes a beautiful poem. Thank you. In France, however, lilies of the valley are considered to signify happiness. They are sold every May 1 on the streets of Paris. I learned this about 10 years ago when I bought in Paris eux de toilette with the fragrance of lilies of the valley. I use it just about every day and tell myself I'm having a dose of happiness when I do it. I wore lilies of the valley in my hair on my wedding day. Libby
ReplyDeleteI have heard of many young brides choosing lilies of the valley for their wedding days. Princess Kate used them last year when she wed Prince William. They clearly signify many things besides what I have shared in this poem. However, there is often happiness that follows sorrow. The fact that the legend speaks of flowers coming from tears is quite magical and joyous. I remember the lilies in your hair. You were a beautiful bride. xoxo
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