Sunday, May 27, 2012

Poems the Earth Writes

Last week it caught my eye when Lorrie at Fabric Paper Thread asked the question What Kind of Tree Would You Be?  I remember thinking hard about this when I was in seventh grade and on a church retreat.   Each of us were given 30 minutes to go to a quiet place to think about the tree that might best represent our spiritual life.  It was a memorable exercise for me and one that I continue to think about from time-to-time.  
 This time of year it's hard not to think about trees.  Each spring when driving around Atlanta I think about the beautiful dogwoods and how they add a lace-like quality to our landscape.  We've even got a festival named to celebrate the dogwood season.  And just after the dogwoods lose their blossoms two beautiful trees make their entrances.  
  I think of the magnolia tree as a "hat lady."   An old-fashioned classic that reminds me so much of the older women in my past - perfectly appointed, delicately scented, perfectly coiffed with a dainty ivory hat.   Yes, the magnolia grandiflora enters the season with noticeable beauty.  This stately tree is one of my favorites.  
 Another tree that I love this time of year is the graceful mimosa tree.  It's so beautiful to see pink dotting the spring scenery.   Sadly this tree is hated by many being labeled invasive by lots of gardeners.   Growing up we had a mimosa tree and I loved the delicate fern-like leaves and those beautiful cotton candy puffs of pink.  Even more wonderful is the fragrance of this beautiful umbrella tree. 
   Hydrangeas are blooming like crazy and believe me, I'm enjoying my fair share of these magnificent showy blooms but as I'm enjoying incredible spring days and the beautiful flowers, I'm taking a little quiet time to enjoy the trees.  
I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
  
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
  
A tree that looks at God all day,        
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
  
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
  
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain. 
  
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
                                                                                  - Joyce Kilmer
This week I'll be joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.

16 comments:

  1. All three trees are favorites of mine, too. I saw a mimosa tree the other day and it brought back so many fond memories. It's so sad that they've almost disappeared from our landscape.
    I have a magnolia that I started from a cutting from my aunt's yard, but it isn't old enough to bloom yet. :(
    Great photos and Happy Memorial Day.
    Babs

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  2. Lovely post, Cheryl! I love mimosas, too. I grew up in the mountains where there were not any and I associate them with visiting my grandmother in south Georgia. I do think that magnolias are my favorites...such a sweet smell! Happy holiday weekend!...hugs...Debbie

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  3. What a wonderful take off on the tree question! We have dogwoods and magnolias here, but not mimosa (I think). Beautiful trees, all of them, and a lovely poem to accompany the photos. Hope you're enjoying your day of quiet.

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  4. We had a Mimosa tree in the yard when I was growing up, it was so cool! I don't see many north of Philly any more, maybe because of what you say. That's sad because they sure are pretty:@)

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  5. Hi Cheryl...I was just tickled that you came by my blog and made a comment. I see you like Seasonal Sundays too. What a great linky party. You get to meet so many wonderful people.

    You quoted one of my favorite poems. I LOVE trees and when we lived in the South I know the Magnolia was my all time favorite. I remember clear back to when Alfalfa quoted that very poem way back when in 'The Little Rascals' back in the....well a long, long time ago...smile. I think honestly that was my first recollection of it.

    So dellighted to meet you! And I'm now following you.

    Warmly,

    Nann
    atnannstable.blogpsot.com

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  6. Very nice post. I love trees! I've even been known to hug one now and then. I have no idea what kind of tree I would be, though. Humm...something to think about! I love that poem, too.
    Cindy

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  7. Great post. Now you are going to have me thinking about what tree I would want to be. What tree represents your life?

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  8. Whenever I see a Mimosa tree I'm reminded of my grandparents. We used to play with the blooms and feed them to their horses. Whenever I see or walk by one, which is rare, I'm instantly transported to my childhood and summers visiting them! Thanks for the memories~ wishing you a Happy Memorial Day :)

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  9. Jojo I was over at Joni's and wanted to visit your site! It is lovely and you have quoted from one of my favorite poems ever!

    Do come and see my interview with Leslie of Segreto Finishes and enter to win her Fabulous Book!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  10. JoJo, I haven't read the poem, " Trees" in many years. It is lovely. I remember having to memorize it in school and didn't appreciate it as much as I do now. Thank you for your post.

    You must try Mary's appetizer. It is easy and delicious! Thanks for visiting.

    I am not sure what my favorite tree is. That is something for me to think about.

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  11. One of the loveliest trees in AZ is the Palo Verde. It translates to Green Wood, but beautiful yellow flowers in the sping.

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  12. Hi Jojo
    Thanks for leaving a comment today and letting me know there are still readers out there. Try the paint. I think you'll like it!

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  13. I'm having trouble leaving a comment....I will write you

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  14. I remember Mimosa trees growing in my neighborhood and always thought they were pretty. Some neighbors didn't like them saying their roots were invasive so they cut them down. Thanks for the nice comment on my blog.------- Shannon

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  15. I saw your list of antique shops in Atlanta. I think that there are a couple in Vinings, which is considered to be Atlanta. I don’t go there often but when my daughter was living there in February I saw a couple but don’t know their names.
    We were at the airport on opening day of the International Terminal; we were going to New York so we did not see it. We’ll use it in the fall though.
    About cameras – I always have at least 2 with me because twice one of my cameras was stolen and another time they malfunctioned. In New York, last week, I had 4 - 3 of them were small. As for a tree, I don’t have to hesitate, I would be a sequoia. They can reach up to 14,000 feet and live for centuries. I’d love to watch history from that height!

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  16. I Stumbled apon your blog while trying to identify a tree for a friend in Tennessee. The tree in question turned out to me a mimosa, (of which I have probably have seen myself but was not in bloom at the time, (more than likley I thought it was some type of Locust,which it may be) hanks for your post you hve one of the most excelent personal blogs out there which reflects a quality of youself not found in many. If you are interested in the path it took to find your blog I posted in a search engine under images this> "Tree in tennessee with fern like leaves and straange pink blossoms" of which led me too your photo of the mimosa, the internet is quite something isn't it?, thanks again, love your blog! putting it in favorites. :Be blest you and yours always!

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