Good morning! It’s Friday, and can you believe this flower? It’s a rhodora, or rhododendron canadense. And while it might look like something out of a garden catalog, it was not planted here by human hands. This native bush grows wild in the wetlands bordering our pond.
I was raised by two fervent fans of Emerson, so this first post upon my subscribing is a treat. The early American naturalists (among whom I count Emerson and his friend Thoreau) had a gift for taking their time to see the landscape.
Awesomeness, once again. Joining other respiters, I was stopped by that phrase and read it repeatedly. One to save in my collection of favorite phrases. Thank you!
The wild rhododendrons and azaleas are amazing. What a treat to discover this in my inbox this morning. And the sentiment as well. I've found myself living for beauty these past few years. Often lately I babysit on Fridays, but I really hope I get to attend the gathering today!
When I showed my husband the picture of the rhodora, he was stunned. He had never seen one, but in 1959, when he was a sixth grader at Public School 31, Bronx, N Y, his teacher taught the class a song "The Rhodora" - the Emmerson poem set to music. And then he sang it from memory!
what a great picture and poem!
I was raised by two fervent fans of Emerson, so this first post upon my subscribing is a treat. The early American naturalists (among whom I count Emerson and his friend Thoreau) had a gift for taking their time to see the landscape.
Those are beautiful, and like a lot of wild spring flowers, the flowers appear long before the leaves make their appearance. Thank you Clara.💖😌
Beautiful flower.As a ‘wild’ flower it is special, as is the poem
Awesomeness, once again. Joining other respiters, I was stopped by that phrase and read it repeatedly. One to save in my collection of favorite phrases. Thank you!
Beautiful flower! The same line from the poem jumped out at me, too.
The wild rhododendrons and azaleas are amazing. What a treat to discover this in my inbox this morning. And the sentiment as well. I've found myself living for beauty these past few years. Often lately I babysit on Fridays, but I really hope I get to attend the gathering today!
I also love that line... Imagine a 13-year-old Emerson already pondering existence...
Oh how absolutely beautiful, the flower and the poetry. That part of the poem spoke to me as well! How true!
I was drawn to that same part of the poem too!! I have never seen that flower before and it is stunning!!
When I showed my husband the picture of the rhodora, he was stunned. He had never seen one, but in 1959, when he was a sixth grader at Public School 31, Bronx, N Y, his teacher taught the class a song "The Rhodora" - the Emmerson poem set to music. And then he sang it from memory!
Is this not an amazing moment?
Gorgeous. There are gardens planted with many varieties of rhododendron and azaleas. They look like nothing except for a few weeks a year.
Beautiful flower and such an a propos poem. I will go to the Eloise Butler Nature Garden soon to see the native blooms here.
What a marvelous poem, thank you. The same line popped out at me. ♥️
Truly beautiful bloom and a lovely Emersonian meditation--great beginnings for the weekend. 🙏🏻
That line is worth hanging on to, and is as beautiful as the Rhodora bloom.