Splashes of blue

Splashes of blue, a photo by rajmarshall on Flickr.

I really was just intending to take the picture of the delphiniums - and the rest of the spread of blue flowers - but Hecate (the cat) spotted a gap in the composition of the picture and helpfully filled it!

Amaryllis

Amaryllis
Originally uploaded by rajmarshall

Once, when I wandered in the woods alone,
An old man tottered up to me and said,
“Come, friend, and see the grave that I have made
For Amaryllis.” There was in the tone
Of his complaint such quaver and such moan
That I took pity on him and obeyed,
And long stood looking where his hands had laid
An ancient woman, shrunk to skin and bone.

Far out beyond the forest I could hear
The calling of loud progress, and the bold
Incessant scream of commerce ringing clear;
But though the trumpets of the world were glad,
It made me lonely and it made me sad
To think that Amaryllis had grown old.

Edwin Arlington Robinson

I see the Amaryllis is out earlier this year than last.
Ther's a certain similarity between the poem for last year and this - but I suppose the 'flowers of the field..'

Oscar Romero

DSCF8062
Originally uploaded by rajmarshall

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of Oscar Romero Archbishop of San Salvador. Here are some words from another South American Roman Catholic also concerned with justice.

I love flowers more and more.
They speak to me
of how ephemeral life is
and make me face up
to eternity.

Dom Helder Camara

The Amaryllis is currently flowering in our dining room.