Sunday, February 17, 2008

Galanthus nivalis

Snowdrop or perce-neige in French.
Flower Chorus
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Such a commotion under the ground,
When March called, "Ho there! ho!"
Such spreading of rootlets far and wide,
Such whisperings to and fro!
"Are you ready?" the Snowdrop asked,
" 'Tis time to start, you know."
"Almost, my dear!" the Scilla replied,
"I'll follow as soon as you go."
Then "Ha! ha! ha!" a chorus came
Of laughter sweet and low,
From millions of flowers under the ground,
Yes, millions beginning to grow.
Le Perce-Neige
Robert Desnos

Violette de la Chandeleur,
Perce, perce, perce-neige,
Annonces-tu la Chandeleur,
Le soleil et son cortège
De chansons, de fruits, de fleurs ?
Perce, perce, perce-neige
A la Chandeleur.
The Snowdrop
Alfred Lord tennyson
*
Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid,
Ever as of old time,
Solitary firstling,
Coming in the cold time,
Prophet of the gay time,
Prophet of the May time,
Prophet of the roses,
Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid!

4 comments:

Gloria said...

Nice.

Where we live more often than not snowdrops are blooming in brief respite from cold and snow, all to soon covered up.
So thought this ode appropo...

All weak and wan, with head inclined,
Its parent breast the drifted snow,
It trembles, while the ruthless wind
Bends its slim form; the tempest lowers,
Its emerald eye drops crystal showers
On its cold bed below.

Where'er I find thee, gentle flower,
Thou still art sweet and dear to me!
For I have known the cheerless hour,
Have seen the sunbeams cold and pale,
Have felt the chilling wintry gale,
And wept and shrunk, like thee.

http://kellscraft.com/dutchbulbscontent.html

Kerri said...

Wonderful pics of the sweet snowdrops, and the poetry is added delight. I see you like to get down on the ground for some up-close-and-personal pics. It's fun, isn't it?
Our should be blooming soon.

Curmudgeon said...

I love the ode Gloria! It definitely makes me think of colder climes like the midwest or upstate NY.

Curmudgeon said...

Yes Kerri, I defintiely did get up close with the snowdrops. I was pretty muddy after that photo shoot!