February is my least favorite month of the year. The snow has lost its novelty, and I'm tired of putting on four layers of clothes just to get some groceries. Rather than whine and complain about it, however, I'll let this offering for Garden Muse Day speak for itself.
February: Thinking of Flowers
Now wind torments the field,
turning the white surface back
on itself, back and back on itself,
like an animal licking a wound.
Nothing but white--the air, the
light;
only one brown milkweed pod
bobbing in the gully, smallest
brown boat on the immense tide.
A single green sprouting thing
would restore me. . . .
Then think of the tall delphinium,
swaying, or the bee when it comes
to the tongue of the burgundy lily.
--Jane Kenyon
Yes, this is how I'll get through February . . .
. . . looking for green sprouting things . . .
. . . and thinking of spring flowers.
How about you?
Garden Muse Day is brought to you the first of each month by our gracious hostess, Carolyn Gail. Why not stop by her blog and visit other Muse Day participants?
What wonderful visions are conjured by these words, Rose. An animal licking itself, humble yet powerful and so apt. All I can say is, what did we do before those digital images of the garden were stored for easy use on the computer? Play cards? Shots that were considered subprime are now drooled over with delight. We even have frozen crunchy snow on the ground here, days after the falling. Rare indeed.
ReplyDeleteFrances
A wonderful way to get through February, Rose. Thanks so much for your lovely contribution, fair muse.
ReplyDeleteOh yes Rose. Looking for those green sprouts this time of year is a constant. Great photos accompanying the poem.
ReplyDeleteJane Kenyon is one of the few poets I like. That line about the "single green sprouting thing" pops into my head every late winter. Thanks for the spring pictures! Be thankful that February is a short month!
ReplyDeleteRose, What a wonderful poem~I do so admire a poet's ability to capture images and ideas in a few words. The photos are perfect on this 20 degree morning! gail
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, I had never heard of Jane Kenyon but I really like the poem. We here in Illinois can relate to it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteFebruary is my least favorite month too. The weather isn't a lot better in March but at least we know spring is very near.
Your photo looks like it could be my backyard:)
Marnie
At this time of the year with frozen icy snow on the ground I am concentrating on plant catalogs. So colorful. And hopeful. Happy GBMD1
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, it looks similar here. Most of the snow has melted and it's bitter cold. I'm glad I winter sow because it's an active gardening task at a time when one needs it most! love the preview of spring beauties!
ReplyDeleteRose those spring flowers and photos are exquisite... so delicate and beautiful. To think that spring is not that far away. We had a gorgeous sunny low 50's day that we're sending your way. Diana
ReplyDeleteI like your poem, very fitting. Your pale pink tulips are so delicate looking. I would like to bury my nose in that row of hyacinths and embrace the fragrance!
ReplyDeleteHi Rose.....I do not mind February because it leads to March, and then daffs, snowdrops, hellebores will be in full bloom.
ReplyDeleteLove the poem.....I suspect many of us think along those lines at this time of year.
Looking for those little green shoots peeping through the soil is a wonderful pastime and gives one hope of what is to come.....
I can almost feel my sap rising.....
Hope February brings some winter sunshine Rose....enough to lift your spirits and warm the back of your neck......
Beautiful flowers. What'll get me through this long and drawn out winter? Knowing (praying?) that by the end of February the weather will have moderated considerably here. Only 28 days... Oh, nice poem!
ReplyDeleteWe are not quite that cold in Florida, but this has been the grayest, wettest winter we've experienced in our six years of living here. Your post is the perfect way to rewind or fast forward out of February, Rose.
ReplyDeleteThank you for helping me get through February. The flowers looked so real that I thought I might be able to reach out and touch them....and smell them. The colors were wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to something green sprouting, like the poem says.
Interesting that we both had a photo of a field in our post, but you had the good sense to also include something lovely.
donna
Those flowers are so pretty! Looks just like spring so let's forget the snow for a bit looking at those lovely flowers.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind February because it is getting towards the Spring and the nights are getting lighter. I hate November.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures of Spring bulbs. Thats what I like to see.
Nuts in May
A wonderful choice of poetry! I wholly agree that by now the fun of snow is gone and the cold is plain exhausting. March's schizophrenia is arguably worse, though. At least I expect February to be awful, but by March it's just a cruel joke!
ReplyDeleteDreaming of spring is a fine way to spend February!Indoor gardens keep me busy in February.
ReplyDeleteI have so many projects going on I do not mind the cold.
Stay warm.
Sherry
I so agree with your February feelings. The thoughts of flowers do get one through don't they.
ReplyDeleteHello Rose,
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are worth a thousand words - especially the first one. I love your pictures of spring blooming flowers.
I'm thinking Jane Kenyon didn't like February!
ReplyDeleteFebruary isn't my favorite month either, unless spring arrives early. Pictures from spring and summer and blogging helps to ease the pain though.
My mother used to say February is the longest month of the year, even though it has less days. Well,I think I'm more like Maggie May - even though February is cold, there is more light. And we are looking forward to Spring. In November the light is waning and will only get colder.
ReplyDeleteYour flower pics are gorgeous. Truly a sight for sore eyes (what a silly expression, my eyes are not sore). Will amend that to say your flowers are just beautiful and bring a smile to my face. I can't wait for green grass and spring flowers.
That peachy pink tulip is to die for. I greatly appreciated your muse - one green shoot really would sustain me. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely muse post, Rose! It won't be long before you will again be seeing those stunning flowers ... until then ... hold tight!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful poem, Rose. And it perfectly compliments your barren photo. At least February is a short month! :)
ReplyDeleteGosh yes, the promise of spring flowers, thanks you for reminding. Seeing those flowers have really cheered me up :)
ReplyDeleteActually I prefer Feb to Jan, it always seems psychologically shorter!
Feb is a sad month indeed. We are tired of the snow and cold and so ready for spring but still a month away for most. In Germany we had the fun Fasching Festivals (Mardi Gras or Carnival) to attend so the month was not so long and boring while over there.
ReplyDeleteYour tale of the deer cracked me up. My parents are big TN Volunteer fans so I sent them a 8 foot tall Smokey Dog yard blow up for Christmas a few years ago. They immediately placed him in the front of the house for all to see. I did not see Smokey in place the next two years. I gave them a mouth full about it also as I had to pull many strings to find this darn thing! This year it was our turn to be in TN for Christmas and there stood Smokey tall for our arrival. Then the winds arrived like they had been telling me for the past two years and Smokey stayed deflated most of my time in TN. lol, Now I think they need to build him a little house to protect him from the winds…
Hi Rose, you've chosen a perfect poem for this time of year and captured well the feeling that goes with it for me, included! Living in VA we do have more green around than you, I'm sure...but right now, our ground has snow and my gardens are covered and it's reminding me a lot of my growing-up years in Pennsylvania, New York, Maine and Ohio. Oh yes, lots of northern blood in this Virginian;-) Including your brightly colored blooms really is eye candy...you could have used this post for the 'rainbow project', as well (like I did). Thanks for being so nice by stopping by quite often...I think you said something about having not visited in a while, but I have had comments from you several times during the last few weeks and months! Thanks;-) And I do hope you'll be able to participate in the Garden Bloggers Sustainability project...you don't need to write a lot and it's not a 'contest'...just a drawing. So far we have the gloves but new today is the CobraHead weeder (you probably already have one of those)...but I am expecting to get a few more, so stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteRose, your photos are deliciously spring. I can almost smell their sweet scents. Ahhh, if we can just last a few more weeks...
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for your comments. I always enjoy reading this feedback and had intended to reply individually to each of you, but life has gotten in the way...If you had a specific question I will try to respond to that when I visit your blogs. A note to Monica, especially, Jane Kenyon, I discovered, is from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I'm going to have to look for more of her poetry!
ReplyDeleteA pefect antidote!
ReplyDeleteI was feeling the February blues too and you (and Kenyon!) voice them well. For me it’s the ice. Give me fresh snow and I’ll gladly bundle up and face the chill. We have forced narcissus blooming in our kitchen - that helps tide us over.
ReplyDeleteHello Rose, i'm new here, just followed one of your comments somewhere. I specifically love the photos, the flowers, the pets, lovely. Even the snows have deep drama in them. thanks. Happy February too, everyone!
ReplyDeleteA great February muse Rose. My least favourite month of the year too. At least it's short :)
ReplyDeletedaffodils are a great way to get through feb!
ReplyDeleteWe even have frozen crunchy snow on the ground here, days after the falling. Rare indeed.
ReplyDeleteWork from home India
Those are wonderful, Rose. I love the hyacinths and have wanted to grow them for long, but not sure if they do here. I like the poem.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful choice for Muse Day. I love going around, however belatedly, and seeing what others have chosen.
ReplyDelete