“I took a day to search for God,
And found Him not; but as I trod,
By rocky ledge, through woods untamed,
Just where one scarlet lily flamed,
I saw His footprint in the sod.”
~William Bliss Carman
We came across these Wood Lilies clustered in a grassy area at the summit of Sargent Mtn. in Maine, 6 months ago today.
They’re the native lilies, not like the invasive Daylilies that crowd our ditches—and they bloom with their faces upward. In many areas, they’re threatened, but on this mountaintop they’ve remained safe.
Like beacons, they bloom, magnificent in the bright sunshine.
As the rain pelts my window, another gray day is forecast for tomorrow.
But, I recall wood lilies and granite.
I know what it feels like to be on top of the world.
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16 comments:
Hi Nina,
Nice photos and text here! Glad I found you, I'll be back.
Peggy
Love the poem and the pictures, makes me yearn for spring!
This is a good anniversary to be celebrating ... the Wood Lilies are beautiful (the orange one is our provincial emblem).
The Bliss Carman poem was one that we had to memorise in grade school. The words are beautiful.
Have you ever wondered if the discovered natural treasure-in this case the Wood lily- prompts the poem to come to mind, or the poem seeks out the treasure? Such a beautiful lily, new to me.Thank you for a lovely post.
To find such beauty in the wild - pure pleasure. Sigh.
I am just catching up on some blog reading and have found your recent posts so inspiring, lifting my January spirits.
I understand. I came across a small alpine flower at the top of a mountain in Jasper.
Oh Nina....Absolutely beautiful verse.....and the lilies are gorgeous! You have made my DAY!
Beautiful, the pictures and the writing. As I read your entries, I feel ashamed to be so negative about the winter snow here. I love nature in all it's forms, and should learn to admire the gifts that winter brings.
we see the wood lily up here, mostly in ditches. With so much farming and oilfield activity the wild meadows are few and far between where they were once seen. Up in our neck of hte woods they tend to bloom in June.
Diane
Alberta Postcards
Diane's Flickr photos
Thanks for the lift, Nina. January is done. One more month to go...
Peggy--Thanks, you're welcome back any time--I love visitors
Chris--not yet, not yet--one more good storm!
island rambles--lurk any time--just glad to know you're enjoying it
Kate--I'd never heard it before--it seemed so perfect (and lovely)
threadspider--that poem seemed to capture my experience perfectly--it was a lovely place
selma--and to think--they're scarce around here, struggling for "their" space
Ruth--glad to help--I find it's easier with pretty and bright flowers!!
Anvil cloud--Jasper's WILD--and those alpine flowers have such strength in their tiny packaging
Kerri--glad to cheer!
Autumn--winter is hard for so many--so long and cold, and beautiful (glad this flower warmed you)
Diane--so lucky to live where they are--preserve them
Mary--yes--1 month (and snow and drizzle all weekend)
It is a beautiful flower. Too bad I'm just a tad out of it's range.
Beautiful writing and pictures. Before I even read this, the pictures reminded me of Acadia NP. It's one of my favorite places! I have family in that area, too.
Marvin--I'm sure there are many other beauties down in your area!
sandpiper--Acadia's our favorite place to vacation--nothing compares to the combination of experiences if offers!
I agree! It's so beautiful. Nearby Petit Manan NWR is great, too. I want to get there at the right time of year to see the breeding colony of puffins someday.
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