(above ~ a 17th Century Madonna)
It seems a fitting thing to give our own mother’s flowers.
I myself take delight in my own children pulling up the dandelions, the calendula, the clematis and other such blooms from the garden to bring me. That look of delight on their faces in having found such unexpected precious jewels in the garden, is a joy to behold.
I think Mary would have felt the same way, especially when we give her the bouquet of the Rosary.
I am not much of a poet, but I dedicate this ditty to my sister, who was diagnosed with Leukaemia last year.
I know she had deep conscerns about how this would impact on her husband and sons. The poem is about a child and his mum, and hopefully a re-assurance that God has cared for us from all eternity, and continues to do so in every moment.
(My ten year old liked it because of the underpants line!)
“Simple Joys”>
Today,
I watched my little boy –
JUMP!
Into a bed of Lavender
(And trample it with joy)
He laughed with glee,
As crushing with his tiny feet
Released the soapy fragrance sweet,
Then…
Peering through the spikes of bloom
That brushed against his ears –
He looked to see if I’d approved,
or else been moved to tears.
Beneath my gaze, he rolled Into
another unsuspecting plant.
King Solomon would never dare
In nothing but his underpants!
More like the playful baby Moses
Hidden by the reeds and roses.
He plunged into the verdant deep,
Cradled in an Asian daisy.
Petals, soft like feathered fans
Amber drifts so fine and hazy
Stroked his feet and tiny hands
Stems defied each earnest tug
Which tried to free it from the ground.
Then snap! and bump!
He landed on his cushioned rump.
Having pulled the blossom free
He toddled closer to my knee.
Into my hand another came,
And pressed my palm with Mary’s gold
The lisping toddler breathed its name
“A “Daithy” mum, for you to hold…”
Some gardeners may well feel sad
That blooms don’t mix with little lads,
But when God made the daisy flower,
And gave the lavender its scent
He'd thought of all the simple joy
They’d give this day to my small boy,
This happy moment, heaven sent -
And a mother’s joy in innocence.
Poem "Simple Joys" (c)Jblewis 1/10/08
Photo: Mary hangs out the washing while Jesus plays(traditionally she used a rosemary bush, but...)Artist unknown
