Violets

The violets are blooming!  These  flowers speak of romance and angst.  Their tiny faces peer out through bunches of heart-shaped leaves and their fragrant perfume fills the air.  They are a flower of poets.  Shall we enjoy some classic poetry that has been inspired by this little gem?

The Violet

Johann Wolfgang Goethe

1749 - 1832

A violet in the meadow grew,

blushing quietly, quite unknown;

a pretty little violet.

A young shepherdess drew near,

with tripping foot and merry heart,

she came alone,

singing through the meadow.

If only, the violet mused, I were

the finest flower int he world,

just for a little while,

until the dear girl picked me

and pressed me to her heart 'til I died,

if only, if only for a quarter of an hour!

Alas! The girl approached

and paid no heed to the violet;

she trod it underfoot.

It sank and died, yet it rejoiced:

if I must die, at least I die through her,

through her, here, 'neath her feet.

Poor violet!

It was a pretty violet!

The Lost Love

William Wordsworth

1770 - 1850

She dwelt among the untrodden ways

     Beside the springs of Dove:

A maid whom there were none to praise

     And very few to love.

A violet by a mossy stone

     Half-hidden from the eye!-

Fair as a star, when only one

     Is shining in the sky.

She lived unknown, and few could know

     When Lucy ceased to be;

But she is in her grave, and, oh,

     The difference to me!