The Irony of the Definition

The Thistle

My presence

in the

garden

for most

invokes

a smile.

 

My color’s

so

bright,

it glows,

but

falsehood

flows.

For

the

gardener,

whose hand

nurtured

me

to

grow,

did not

know

my

meaning.

 

It

is not

joy

in the

morning,

but

a bold

resistance,

sorrow,

and

mourning.

 

Hatred,

disregard,

and

retaliation

are my

obligation,

but only

by

definition.

 

The

root

of my

being,

no harm

could

ensue,

for

despite

my

spiky

appearance,

I

am

soft

and

fragile

and

grow

tall,

to

above

all,

assist

in

cooking

and

beauty,

and

keeping

you

healthy.

Thistle Budd

Color Glows

Thistle Standing Tall

For Cooking, Beauty, and Health

In the language of flowers the Thistle, also known as safflower, has meanings that do not at all reflect the  beauty and intrigue of the bud or flower.  The meanings of the thistle were featured in the poem above and include: misanthrope, defiance, vengeance, and grief.

I find it somewhat ironic that these words are associated with a flower that is so pretty and is thought to have useful medicinal properties such as: preventing heart disease and stroke, lowering fevers, treating coughs and breathing problems, tumors, pain, and clotting conditions, in addition to other medical uses.  The oil from safflower seed is used as a cooking oil.  The flower is used to color cosmetics and to dye fabrics.  Ref: WebMd

Please note that I am in now way recommending the use of the flower for any of the above referenced purposes.  However, I thought it of interest and wanted to provide a background for the poem above.

Make a Wish

“Photo is a small voice, at best, but sometimes – just sometimes – one photograph or a group of them can lure our senses into awareness. Much depends upon the viewer; in some, photographs can summon enough emotion to be a catalyst to thought.”  

– W. Eugene Smith

Wishes for Happiness

Wishes for Faithfulness

Wishes of Love

Fly Away Wishes

In the Victorian Language of Flowers the Dandelion represents faithfulness, happiness, and love’s oracle.  To little children, a dandelion is a fuzzy flower with the purpose of wishing upon, or maybe, a pretty flower to give to Mommy, whom they love so much.    I thought the above quote was a nice compliment to the images of dandelions because the images of the dandelions summon emotions and thoughts of childhood memories and wishes made, and remind of the hope of wishes to come.  Because just sometimes, wishes do come true.

Hope, Purity, and Atonement

“May the love hidden deep inside your heart find the love waiting in your dreams. May the laughter that you find in your tomorrow wipe away the pain you find in your yesterdays.” – Unknown

Atonement

Reconciliation

Hope

Purity

The above four words are associated with the Star of Bethlehem flower in the Victorian Language of Flowers.  When I saw the quote above I felt that it somehow linked the four words; atonement and  reconciliation of yesterdays and hope for pure love in the days to come.

Hope and Purity

Atonement

Sweet and Lovely

In the Victorian Language of Flowers the white carnation can represent the following list of words or combination of words:

ardent love

sweet

lovely

pure love

a woman’s good luck gift

Sweet

Lovely

I hope your weekend is full of sweet and lovely experiences!

Blessings, Robyn

Vintage Bouquet

A Vintage Bouquet

A Vintage Bouquet

 

A Vintage Bouquet II

2013 Stability Series – 02

“Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.”- Dalai Lama

Stability in Healing

Stability in Sincerity

Stability in Faith

Stability in Confidence

Stability in Truth

The Stability Series, for now, is a two post series.  The images, shot using the same subject and background, are available in both horizontal and vertical formats.  Each image has a name representative of the color green and the color blue.  They were shot and named to be hung alone or as groupings.  The images are perfect for gift-giving for friends and loved ones going through difficult times. The names are meant to provide encouragement and inspiration for those in need of courage, strength or healing.

2013 Stability Series – 01

“Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.” – Michel de Montaigne

 

Stability in Wisdom

Stability in Tranquility

Stability in Integrity

Stability in Loyalty

Stability in Power

The Stability Series, for now, is a two post series.  The images, shot using the same subject and background, are available in both horizontal and vertical formats.  Each image has a name representative of the color green and the color blue.  They were shot and named to be hung alone or as groupings.  The images are perfect for gift-giving for friends and loved ones going through difficult times. The names are meant to provide encouragement and inspiration for those in need of courage, strength or healing.

2013 Daffodil Series – 09

All glory comes from daring to begin.  – Eugene F. Ware

The Dare To Begin Anew

Daring

Glory