In Bluebell Time
They came back.
A haze of indigo, purple and violet blue
Swirling across that secret glade
Like morning mist
Drifting the mottled shadows
Under gnarled and timeworn trees
Where invisible thrushes carolled
In the heart of those fairy woods.
And it was lovely and it was blue.
Tumbling down to the brook
And all along the margins of the path.
I bent and held a single stem against my palm
Silently pledging no hurt or harm
To see them dangling like drops of rain
To see the blueness once again.
Yet they made no ringing or jingling sound
As they reclaimed their ancient ground.What joy and truth was thereby found
To see the bluebells all around.
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| Pictures of bluebells in Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield May 4th 2017 |
Beautiful shot of the woods and flowers! I've never seen bluebells growing like that but we have places where the forget-me-nots carpet the ground under the trees. It has much the same effect. "Silently pledging no hurt or harm" is a wonderful line.
ReplyDeleteI thought a lot about that line Jenny. In a way it has nothing to do with bluebells per se. It is a pledge to Nature in general.
DeleteI'm sure the bluebells would like your poem just as I do.
ReplyDeleteThanks once more Red.
DeleteBravo. Clap, clap, clap. It would be even more entertaining to hear you recite it in your, no doubt, intriguing English accent! (I love accents, not having one myself, mind you.)
ReplyDeleteIf ever I return to Washington State I shall come up your mountain to recite this poem to you. Please don't shoot me!
DeleteThe words and pictures are wonderful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI keep saying this; one year I'll make it to Yorkshire in time for the bluebells. Most years, I am way too late (July or August), and one year, I was too early (April).
The National Trust provides online information about some of the best places to see them but the exact date of their emergence varies from year to year.
DeleteWe have several areas of ancient woodland near here, so most dog walks take in the glorious bluebells. I shall be off to the nearest one in about half an hour. The sun is shining too this morning, so it will be very pretty.
ReplyDeleteBluebells massing - it's one of the natural wonders of this England. I hope you enjoyed your walk Frances.
DeleteThat's quite enchanting. I thought I might see some bluebells today as we drove through Wiltshire but the woodland was just white with wild garlic.
ReplyDeleteOver the years I have discovered several great places to see bluebells in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. The bluebell is England's favourite wild flower by far.
DeleteWe did indeed ! It was lovely.
ReplyDeleteTime to put your feet up and have a cuppa Frances!
DeleteWords and photograph both beautiful - they are such a glorious blue aren't they?
ReplyDeleteSuch a subtle blue I think. Hard to describe.
DeleteJoy and truth! Your bluebells might be a bit later than ours. Which would make sense, I guess.
ReplyDeleteIn legend Bluebells are associated with truth. That's why I put that word into the penultimate line.
DeleteI guess it was the bluebells you were looking at when gave poor Clint a whack in the bum!! (I hope you read my response to your previous post. My sympathy is with Clint)!
ReplyDeleteDainty, pretty little flowers...and a lovely verse.
I have indeed read your comment on my previous post. I thought it politic to avoid response in case my remarks inflamed your wrath.
DeleteAnd no I was not looking at bluebells when the driver malfunction happened. I was checking my lipstick in the rear view mirror.
Hahahahahaha!
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