Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Poetic Peonies


It's once again time for Vee's Note Card Party. This month I chose peonies - mostly from last year when I bought armfuls of them for Little Miss S's baby shower. I've included parts of a poem by Mary Oliver underneath each photo.




This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready
   to break my heart
     as the sun rises,
        as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers


 



and they open--
   pools of lace,
      white and pink--


 



the flowers bend their bright bodies,
   and tip their fragrance to the air,
     and rise,
       their red stems holding

all that dampness and recklessness
    gladly and lightly,
      and there it is again--
        beauty the brave, the exemplary,

blazing open.

 




Do you also hurry, half-dressed and barefoot, into the garden,
   and softly,
      and exclaiming of their dearness,
       fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,

with their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,
    their eagerness
      to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are
        nothing, forever?

Vee's Note Card Party is always a fun event, and a great way to get to know some new bloggers. Thanks, Vee, for hosting. 

27 comments:

  1. OH my word, your peonies pics are incredible - perfect not cards this month for sure!

    Don't you just wish peonies would last just a tiny bit longer? They sure come and go fast, much too fast.

    I am glad you have such lovely pictures to make them last much much longer!! : - )

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  2. They are glorious! And I especially loved the poem too!

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  3. Exquisite...the peonies and the poetry. I had a peony upon my door and just today I plucked a bruised outer petal and the entire flower dropped every petal at my feet. I think my heart lurched a bit. I went straight out to the garden and plucked a new one. They do seem to last better if they spend the night in the fridge.

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  4. So very pretty. The red is gorgeous but I find myself liking the white best. Beautiful.

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  5. Your pictures are very pretty, peonies are a favorite of mine:@)

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  6. I love poetry and never remember to include it in my posts. How lovely! And the peonies seem to be having a fabulous year. Love your banner...Once upon a time!

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  7. These are just stunning photos Lorrie. The poem is perfect for the photos. Lovely!

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  8. Beautiful peonies, and I love the ones on the door - how pretty against the blue.
    Judith

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  9. Oh how I love Peonies. I cut my last bloom today as the 4 I had cut previously were spent....

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  10. These, I think, are my favorite flower. I've never tried to grow them.
    They sure make pretty note cards...:)

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  11. Lovely, I have not been able to grow these in this garden.

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  12. Great shots of those show stopping peonies! I just wished they would last longer in the season. The pink is so vibrant! Have a great evening Lorrie.

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  13. These look wonderful! I can almost sense their wonderful scent! Nice set of cards I'd love to write on!

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  14. Peonies are SO beautiful, as is the poem. Thanks for sharing the beauty!

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  15. So beautiful! The peony is one of my favorites. I just wish they lasted longer. All of these photos are so lovely and would make wonderful note cards.

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  16. Thank you! the peonies I brought back from the Marché last week are finally finished, but yours replace them very well

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  17. The peony is one of my favorite flowers because both my grandmothers grew them in their flower beds. Your post reminds me that I need to plant some in my yard.

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  18. These are my favorite flower!! They do not grow in southeast Texas!!!!!! And they aren't available for purchase around here very often. And what beautiful pictures! I have to check out this Note Card Party!!!

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  19. Love Mary Oliver's poem and you set this up perfectly. What a perfect example for the card party. I see Linda above was impressed too.
    QMM

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  20. Oh Lorrie! My favorite flowers! So beautiful!

    The poem was lovely too...

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  21. Oh I love peonies! They are great shots.

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  22. So beautiful! Peonies have just captured my interest these last few years. So pretty and so many varieties! (Just a little short-lived.)

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  23. Beautiful! Our peonies have come and gone, so it's a wonderful treat to see your notecards. What fun it would be to write notes with these!

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  24. Beautiful! I love peonies! :)

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  25. Lorrie, this post was such a feast for my eyes! I love your artful photographs of those gorgeous peonies. And I love the poem, which is one I have never read. I must mark it to read again...

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  26. Peonies are such glorious blooms. I’m waiting for mine to open.
    Running barefoot into the garden to pick an armful is not something I do, I’m far too old and sensible. Pity really, don’t you think.

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  27. So lovely to be here again. I've missed you and I'm hoping to get back into the swing of writing. I look forward to journeying with you again.

    And thanks for entering my giveaway. I want to wish you all the best for tomorrow's Draw. Here's hoping...

    Brenda

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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