The Trillium
©copyright 2005 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.
The Trillium, a lily extraordinaire;
a forest jewel of many colors fair
delivers three leaves rolled like a holy scroll
protecting its pure white bud from earth's rough toll:
like Jesus when in His mother's gentle womb,
long before He would enter a rich man's tomb.
Spring leaves unfurl to resemble that old cross;
yet untouched by wicked man's offensive dross.
Three white petals open, like Christ with arms wide—
our invitation to join His loving side—
speaking of His and His Father's pure doctrine:
such a perfect three-point flower of His trend.
Weeks go by, those white petals remaining pure,
just as Christ's ministry began with words sure;
this lily set well away from its green cross,
for it is not yet its time to cleanse the dross.
When rains do come it dips its lovely sweet head;
akin to Christ's humility never shed.
Alas, He began to hear verbal abuse,
and the lily turns pink from man's weak excuse.
Many weeks pass as the lily remains pink,
yet closer to its three leaves it starts to sink;
though bright and strong it remains until it dies:
as our Lord's death was not a final goodbye.
Then in mid-summer, the lily turns blood red;
its three petals slowly turning back in dread:
Christ was arrested, beaten, battered and bruised;
a crown of thorns, blood flowing as He's abused.
The lily lies upon its green cross to die,
still strong yet soon to leave with a heartfelt sigh.
But, like our dear Lord, the Trillium returns;
its spring bloom reminding we've no need to burn
as it pushes through earth like a holy scroll,
death unable to exact a lasting toll:
so like God's Christ when He arose from His grave,
a victor over death that we might be saved.
In a list
A contest entry
- Easter and the Triduum by hieizgirl2000.
350 points, ended May 14, 2009, 9 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Absolutely Beautiful Poetry!!!! Thank You!!!
In God's Love
Noah
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Awesome Write!
Precious trillium found in my grandfather's forest, as a child always charmed me with it's beauty, and now if I was to see one again, how much more it would mean after reading your excellently written poem, and it's association with our Lord, His word, His death, and resurrection. This is so precious a write it is bookmarked to treasure...God has His creation attesting to His great glory! Thank you for writing!
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Ah, Sis, you fell in love with this Lily just as I did. I was so fortunate to live in the Tahuya State Forest area and they littered my friend Betty's property. Amazing Lily and the only one I've ever seen that seemed to truly reflect our Christ. Thank you so much for sharing with me your grandfather's forest and such encouraging words to this non-poet.
Luv & hugs, SisBon
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Beautiful!
I love this poem. It's a truly beautful work, plus I learned about a flower that I'd never heard of! Very deep symbolism and metaphor, you found the perfect flower to illustrate Jesus' love.
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Ah, thank you, Jack. The Trillium truly is an awesome lily that grows wild in the Washington forests. I was fortunate enough, for a while, to live in the Tahuya State Forest area and these Trilliums were peppered all over the grounds. Truly beautiful and so fitting as the lily to represent our Saviour, more so than any lily I've ever seen.
Much love and hugs, BonnieQ
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Masterful!
Never heard of this lily before. I love this poem, it's execution, content, rhyming, timing. This is so fitting 'cause He is the Lily of the valley & the rose of Sharon! This write is more than my words can express. Majestic & a proper praise poem for our Savior and Father!
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Man! The weather here is something else! I got knocked offline right in the middle of responding to your kind words about "The Trillium." It grows wild in the Washington State forrests and, my understanding is that it is illegal to take any of them: besides, they don't like to be transplanted. Another neat feature of the Trillium is that it comes back bigger the next year, then bigger the next and so on!
Luv ya, Bon
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I love the analogies in this piece. It has a beautiful message as well as being beautifully written! glad to read you again and look forward to reading more.
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Thank you, dear one. The Trillium, in my mind, is the perfect Lily to reflect our Lord Saviour Christ, His birth, death and resurrection. I've never seen any other Lily that does so perfectly.
They grew wild where I once lived in the Tahuya State Forest of Washington State. Gorgeous!
Luv and hugs, BonnieQ
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This is awesome and beautiful alright, When we celebrate Easter it is my favorite time to reflect, I have liles come up and stay all summer surrounding my 3 crosses in my garden! It is neat to see that miracle...I loved it of course. Blessings.
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Thank you, Sis. I have to say that the picture does not do justice to the Trillium, but it was the only one I could find online back when I wrote the poem. The other amazing thing about this lily, that I didn't point out in the poem, is that it comes back each spring bigger than the year before, each year even bigger. Kinda reminds me of Jesus becoming known in one small part of the world to, ultimately, being known around the globe.
Luv ya! SisBon
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A great verse indeed
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Ah, thank you, dear friend! By the way, you are going to have a tough job judging the "I'm Blind" contest, for there a number of entries that are fantastic and one or two that are nothing short of amazing! Good luck!
BonnieQ
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