Photo credit: Tom Lee/flickr
November, by Alice Cary, 1820-1871
‘The leaves are fading and falling,
The winds are rough and wild,
The birds have ceased their calling,
But let me tell you, my child,
Though day by day, as it closes,
Doth darker and colder grow,
The roots of the bright red roses
Will keep alive in the snow.
And when the Winter is over,
The boughs will get new leaves,
The quail come back to the clover,
And the swallow back to the eaves.
The robin will wear on his bosom
A vest that is bright and new,
And the loveliest way-side blossom
Will shine with the sun and dew.
The leaves to-day are whirling,
The brooks are dry and dumb,
But let me tell you, my darling,
The Spring will be sure to come.
There must be rough, cold weather,
And winds and rains so wild;
Not all good things together
Come to us here, my child.
So, when some dear joy loses
Its beauteous summer glow,
Think how the roots of the roses
Are kept alive in the snow.’
CHRYSANTHEMUMS & PEONIES: The Flowers of November. Photo credit: Freepik
‘The chrysanthemum is the official November birth flower. But there is also a lesser known second birth flower of November: the peony. Generally speaking, chrysanthemums symbolise longevity, optimism and joy. It also symbolises strong friendships, sharing happiness, and wishing for well-being, rest and cheerfulness. Peonies have come to symbolise love, happiness, honour, good fortune, wealth and happy marriage.’
November is the month of kindness, remembrance, gratitude,
giving thanks and celebrating our Mother Nature
Photo Credit: Jay Yuan/Shutterstock
Coventry’s Message of Hope to the World on the Armistice centenary and Remembrance Sunday
Celebrate World Kindness Day-13 November
Today is World Kindness Day: Embracing Kindness to Defeat the Political Economy of Hatred
World in Chaos and Despair: The Healing Power of Gratitude
Embrace the Spirituality of the Autumn Equinox and Discover What it Means to be Human
Autumnal Hope and Humanity to Save Our Mother Earth and Nature, History Will Judge the Complicit
'Mother of Darkness, Mother of Light
Earth beneath us, soul in flight,
Songs of love and love of life,
Guide us to our home'. ~Circle Song
Photo credit: Gaia
Reimagined Garden in November
"In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November."- Rose G. Kingsley, The Autumn Garden
A poem inspired by John Singer Sargent’s work Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.
Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose 1885–6, Tate
REIMAGINED GARDEN
On John Sargent’s Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose
Look, Polly, look
how our lanterns blush –
the skipping half-light, such
almost like moons
but not quite –
and all around us
drowsy lilies with long anthers,
grass brushing against our knees.
The perfumed air,
the garden’s ours,
and the queen bees rule.
Dolly I’ve done mine now,
I’m pleased
even if the wind blows.
Here roses don’t stop growing
and lilies last forever.
Let’s hurry up
it’s almost time.
Oh the Barnhard girls,
light on their slender arms,
their rustling cotton sleeves,
that summer they never
grow out of.
So much to fill,
so little time before the sun goes.
If only you’d let me finish my song.
Would you let me finish my song?
Carnation, lily, lily, rose,
hands lily white, lips
plump and juicy red.
Time on their napes
and soft elbows
but none for me.
Where is my Cotswolds of yesterday?-See the original posting HERE
Continue to read on related topics:
World in Chaos: The Healing Power of Gardens
Photo: Pinterest
The healing power of ‘Dawn’ at this time of coronavirus crisis
Embrace the Spirituality of the Autumn Equinox and Discover What it Means to be Human
On the 250th Birthday of William Wordsworth Let Nature be our Wisest Teacher
Finding sanctuary in poetry during lockdown
Photo:Spirituality&Health
Reflecting on Life: My Childhood in Iran where the love of poetry was instilled in me
Poetry is the Education that Nourishes the Heart and Nurtures the Soul
One of our favorite English gardens, here in the magical Cotswolds, which we have very much enjoyed visiting over the last few years, where in the soundlessness and beauty of nature we have found joy, peace, tranquility and comfort.
Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre
Autumn at Batsford, Photos by Anne Mofid
