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Nine Ways of Looking at a Lily of the Valley

Missing image

I
Spring comes.
The earth is reborn.
Lilies of the valley
stand tall
in my garden bed.

II
One white lily of the valley -
Two white lily of the valley -
A blanket covered in lily of the valley.

III
Like tiny trumpets
heralding the advent
of summer, they
sing songs of sweet fragrances
to come.

IV
The gardener
contemplates and
plans her attack
against the dying daffodils
and the lilies of the valley.

V
‘Twas never so sweet
and delicate a flower
as the lily of the valley
that adorns my lover’s tresses.

VI
Spring comes.
The lilies of the valley
stand tall in
my garden patch.
I savor their brief time -
this special moment -
as death hovers
over the horizon.

VII
From my window I see
the patch of green and white lily
fading
browning
withering
as I heal and grow
stronger
purer
abler.
Praise to You my Lord and King.
All praise to You - my Everything.

 

VIII

Lovely lillies standing tall

promise new life again.

One beloved departs but

new love enters my story.

Life is full of mystery and awe. 

 

IX

As Drew frolicks in the lilies

we share kisses in the air

and he says to me,

"I caught your heart, Grammajo."

He has captured my heart

eternally and completely.

I am his as my lilies are His.

The love goes on forever. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."
- Song of Solomon 2:1

Author notes

This poem is inspired by Wallace Stevens' "Thirteen Ways of  Looking at a Blackbird."

I started this poem in 1991 and never finished it. My own way pf looking at this beautiful little flower is so different now. My plan is to return to this poem every year at this time and write a new stanza until I reach thirteen stanzas like Stevens' poem - or more than 13 God willing.

Stanza VI 5/7/05 - My dear mother-in-law Jane is dying from Alzheimers. It is one of the hardest times in my life. I feel helpless and abandoned as I watch her die in front of me.

Stanza VII 5/27/06 - For the last two months I have had migraine attacks and high blood pressure. I was not able to go out and look at the liles when they were in full bloom. I did look at them today as they were fading away. I am learning to fight my disease with praise to the Healer!


Stanza VIII 6/2/07 - The school year is almost over. It has been a good year - a year of renewal. My beloved rottie Millie died an untimely death partly due to the contaiminated pet food. The same day she died, a friend gave me a tiny 6 week old kitten. We named her Gracie. She is a joy. God is amazing. Only He knows how to heal a broken heart.

 

Stanza IX 5/24/08 - My step daughter Becca, her hubby Jimmy Lee and my two year old grandson Drew are living in my home as they look for a home of their own. It is paradise having them here. Everyday Drew learns more and loves more. It is delightful. He loves to play in the front lawn near my patch of lily of valley. I will forever remember this happy springtime.

 

This graphic is taken from www.shortcourses.com/flowers/lily-of-the-valley.jpg
Written May 7th, 2005

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Comments

1 - 58 of 58

  • fromtheheart1409
    June 4

    Edit | Reply
    I love this idea! Very cool. Maybe I'll have to try it sometime. Of course knowing me, It'll probably become one of those things I start and never return to so I never finish.(hehe!)

    Luv ya oodles!
    Courtney


  • Condemd RyeZing
    June 2
    Edit | Reply
    Beautifully penned. Great piece.

  • The Poetic Bandits gold member
    June 2

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    Appreciation!

    Thanks for this wonderful contribution to The Poetic Bandits reading list, and congrats on the HM

    ~Lilac


  • Dark Otter gold member
    June 1
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    Emotionally compelling

    I see that it is close to your heart. May your lilies always bring you such joy.


  • Perdu
    June 1

    Edit | Reply
    Wow... this is an absolutely gorgeous scribe... it just flowed down the page.... a beautiful garden for my eyes.

    I wish you all the best, fellow bandit
    --Zach

  • Sharcu silver member
    May 30

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    Not sure if you saw, but I'm back!!! And so glad to be reading the work of such talent poets such as yourself. You really, really rock! I think the author's notes made me appreciate this piece of work even more. It was spread out throughout a time and continues to grow as you did. Thanks for sharing

    --Tim

  • grannyeri gold member
    May 29

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    Liked the presentation on this page - the background, picture and poem - even the color fits in. Nice to take these poems we started so long ago, and keep adding and finally finishing them.


  • RatherImaginative silver member
    May 29

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    It's nice how each stanza is its own, and yet each would be incomplete without the others. I love lily of the valley. It's such an unassuming little flower, and yet its fragrance is powerful. Lovely piece!


  • Lowercase Prelude gold member
    May 27
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    beautifully penned.

  • darrylblacksr
    May 27

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    Beautiful reflects that I can truly identify with, as I too is going through the tribulations. Even so I know that all I have is God and he promises that he will always be there for his children...


  • Haiku-bless-you silver member
    May 27

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    A lovely collection of reflections on the Lily of the Valley. So much to like here with its' diversity and depth of feeling. VII stood out for me, I find a solid comparision of the temporal to the eternal, both have their beauty but the Enduring is to be desired. Well done my Bandit friend.

    Bandits Rock!

    Dennis


  • Warrior-Eagle
    May 26

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    This was beautiful.
    It was really touching,
    really amazing
    and very heart felt.
    Beautifully written.

    ..Simply Me♥

  • Samplette gold member
    May 26

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    Heart felt and so tenderly written. Loving and compassionate. Beautifully written. It really warmed my heart.
    Sam


  • ShelleyA gold member
    May 25

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    A beautiful write. Poignant and loving. Good imagery, flow and tone. Lovely depth of feeling. Vivid descriptives. Well penned and much enjoyed. Best wishes in the contest.


  • pania gold member
    May 25

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    A very beautiful poem. You have captured the essence of these flowers, and their relationship to renewal and the cycle of life and death, and shown it as seen against the happenings in your own life. This is an admirable project, and one that you have realised with simplicity and grace. I know the poem of Wallace Stevens, and have written in emulation of it, so I recognise your challenge, very well done.

    . Rewarded 8


  • Storm-Goddess
    May 24

    Edit | Reply

    very nice

    i really liked this piece and the background is beautiful
    i think for this type of poem your flow was great but i didn't see much rythme but thats ok not thing is suppose to and congrats on the honorable mention

  • velvet revolver
    May 24

    Edit | Reply

    Not bad. Good imagery.

    i really liked some of the imagery used in this. overall, pretty good. just not great.
    really liked I, III, and V

    . Rewarded 4

  • hazydreams
    June 3, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Very good write and read. I thought you did excellent writting this poem. Looking foward to you finish this poem. I think it will be great once it is done. Good luck in the future where ever the road takes you. God bless!

    . Rewarded 4


  • alexandrathegreat gold member
    June 2, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    thought provoking

    This is a poem I see that you put a lot of hard work and energy to it, each different way of looking at a lily is better then the last you achieved true sense of life and why we love it so much, my problem is that I can hardly ever write a happy poem, one that focus on giving thanks for what you have I think you did an excellent job with this, the lily was the perfect subject for the poem, you are as delicate as the lily you describe, I can't wait to read, "Seven ways of looking at snow" LoL You deserved the prize you recieved and you are truly a great poet.


  • RachaelM.M.
    June 2, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    I love your symbolism

    and metaphors. I love flowers...and You have inspired me a little bit. This poem is amazing, very easy for me to relate to. I just love that you wrote about the lilies in relation to the changing phases of your life. The use of the quote at the end makes it even more impressionable and memorable.

  • 2lullabyhaven
    June 2, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Very Rich

    For I know that Jesus did not use this flower lightly to represent himself. There's always more to His writings than that that first appears on the surface.
    I truly believe you are on to something with this one and I should hope yuo will continue to add to it, for it will reveal more of Jesus to us. I have a smiliar
    project going just like this one with you. Mine is about "the sheep of His pasture." I will link it to you at your request should you want to view it. lol
    Great writing, content, everything. lol

    . Rewarded 8


    • thelordreigns gold member
      June 2, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you so much. I would love to read your poem project!

      God bless you mightily! - joanne
  • SideburnsThePJ
    June 2, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    quite

    Very much "of the good". I've never perused that particular Wallace Stevens poem, but if it's anything like this is one I imagine it's excellent. And excell this poem does, wonderful read and flawless form. Keep writing.

    . Rewarded 4


  • Hekate gold member
    February 4, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Oh wow..very well done. I liked it a lot. The best of luck to you in the contest!
    Kari
  • Astral Flare
    May 27, 2006
    Edit | Reply

    Perfect!

    Fantastic work! I'll definitely have to bookmark this page and check back every year to see how it's coming along! Hope to read more of your poems soon!
    -Tim

  • Tam gold member
    May 27, 2006
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    Flawless beauty

    I am inspired by you. Your piece is so lovely, well written and the picture is perfect. I can feel your desire for the Lilies of the Valley to linger, yet I know you realize they will not. As they are fleeting and must be enjoyed as given by God. Your feelings translate into words so flawlessly. How gifted you are. Blessings! Tammy
  • rhyana
    May 27, 2006
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    pretty. the title caught my attention, it brought back a few memories of my own.
  • teen poeticsoul
    May 27, 2006
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    This was very beautiful. The flow and structure of each one was wonderful. And on top of that the picture was lovely. You do have a great talent, keep up the great work.

  • AudreyTyler
    May 27, 2006
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    Really really beautiful. I love the structure and the style. Truly unique. And obviously the picture at the top is stunning. You were really spot on with the title--very enticing. keep penning and showing off your talent.

  • May 27, 2006
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    What a marvelous piece. I have never read anything like this before. It is beautiful and I enjoyed it so much! Thank you! Tink

  • mitimse
    May 27, 2006
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    impressive

    somewhere in the book of Job came this inspiration. You paralleled it well
  • Jocelyn Davis
    July 28, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Do keep writing. Lily of the Valley is one of my very favorites.

    Only six ways? It seems to me there was a seventh included-- in the line beneath the poem. Ah, He is that lovely Lily... that blooms where and when naught else can.

    This is great... and I'm inspired to write a similar poem, about looking at something in different ways. Thank you!

    --Jocelyn

  • Teresa UK
    June 30, 2005
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    Lovely poem. Love; "they
    sing songs of sweet fragrances".
    Can add no more except thank you.

  • Anji
    June 4, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Very beautiful.Nice fragrant and delicate imagery .This poem takes us to a beautiful garden ,Lily of The Valley are such gorgeous flowers ,so wonderfully scented and the beauty is well captured in your verses .Thanks for your comments on my poetry too ,lots of hugs

  • unravelled.
    May 26, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Wow! I really liked the way you described the lillies, espically when you described them as "Like tiny trumpets
    heralding the advent" Really clever, keep writing!

  • CountryCousin
    May 10, 2005
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    A fragrant poem

    Well I still find this one so lovely and do plan on planting this flower for next year. We are working on getting our yard to look well after the deep crater left from a house fire.It takes time to do what I want to do. But I still remember those flowers back at the homeplace.
  • LaBelle
    May 7, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I'm not crazy that you broke it up in 6 parts...what am I saying? The "Six Ways" part of the title is what caught me eye in the featured section lol. Anyway, awesome imagery, it would be hard for me to do this, so nice job I like III the best...IV is kinda sad.
  • DramaFree
    May 7, 2005
    Edit | Reply

    I Applaud!!!

    AWESOME IMAGERY!!! I was just totally blown away by the beauty of this poem. Thank you so much. This poem shows so much talent. I can only hope to one day be as talented myself to write something as beautiful. I thank you for sharing this on AP.

  • CountryCousin
    May 7, 2005
    Edit | Reply

    Wonderful

    Oh I love this flower too and tried to get one to grow in my garden because they smell so delightful. My mother had one in the garden patch back at the old homeplace. I am doing well with my gladiolas and rose bushes. Wonderful poem written by a excellent poet.
  • Sweetbambina89
    May 7, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    great poem good luck with the contest!

  • BunnyBabe89
    May 7, 2005
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    This is awesome! I love lilys as well! They smell so beautiful!
    Good luck on the contest! Hope you do well
    ~Sarah

  • forgot2b3forgotten
    May 7, 2005
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    Oh my Goodness I love this not only cause Lillys are my fav. flower but because of what you made them out to be This is a great write

  • cutiepie gold member
    May 7, 2005
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    Excellent

    I have to be honest and say that they cause havoc in the garden as they are inclined to take over and run riot but I thoughly enjoyed your versions. Quite a talent

  • masterblaster gold member
    May 7, 2005
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    Hi , this is so lovely, we only think of them normally for their beautiful perfume now I shall look at them with very different eyes, this is a lovely write full of tenderness, wonderful my friend, God bless and a big hug Di

  • pink-roses gold member
    May 7, 2005
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    wow this is lovely. The first verse reminds me of my haiku 'dawn'. Lovely natural imagery.
    pinkxxx

  • Shamisen silver member
    May 7, 2005
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    I truly enjoyed this poem - you wrote beautifully and the differing perspectives compliment each other enourmously. A lovely piece of writing.

  • Ms Raneika
    May 7, 2005
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    Really Nice Flower Poem - haven't read much of those - I love flowers - Maybe I should go write a poem now... - Good luck in the contest p.s If you return the favor please comment on my poem "What is Mothers Day?" but it rather a sad write much love Raneika
    Edited on May 07, 11:31 because ''.

  • -Kayleigh-
    May 7, 2005
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    Excellent

    This is a really good poem. I loved it. Its so creative and I love the flow of it. Its also worded very well too. Nice job!!!! Well, keep up the excellent writing..I loved this!

  • Vickie J
    May 7, 2005
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    I think that is a wonderful idea to come back and add a stanza each yr at the same time. That is kind of a novel idea, I think I am going to think about doing that with something. Maybe you should start a group with that as the theme.
    I like the others always think of the risen Lord when I see a lily. You did a wonderful job in comparing the two with the symbolism you used. I hope I remember to keep up with this piece...great job! ~vj

  • ShadowStalker
    May 7, 2005
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    This was short but in my own way, sorta spiritula. Excellent job on this beacuse it was such a great read and I think it's a fantastic idea to keep writing stanzas for this until you're 13. Once again fantastic job on this!

  • Blessed
    May 7, 2005
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    Beautiful poem

    WOW!!! This is beautifully written! I enjoyed reading this! I think you did an excellent job with this- especially since it is a different style for you!

  • thelordreigns gold member
    May 7, 2005
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    Thank you Melissa - I had totally forgotton the Bible reference. Song of Solomon chapter 2 is one of my favorite chapters - "and the banner over us is love." Thank you for reminding me. I added the verse to the end of the poem. God bless you today and always! - joanne
  • Molassis
    May 7, 2005
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    Very interesting. Every time that I see a Lily Of The Valley I think of Jesus. You've done a wonderful job with this poem and I truly enjoyed reading it! God bless you! ~Melissa♥
    Edited on May 07, 9:55 because ''.

  • TrulyLoothy
    May 7, 2005
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    7 out of ten

    not bad...it was quite interesting and had many beautiful words ~Rush
1 - 58 of 58