Following his instructions, Amaryllis dressed in maiden's white and appeared at Alteo's door for 30 nights, each time piercing her heart with a golden arrow. When at last Alteo opened his door, there before him was a striking crimson flower, sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart. With this romantic - albeit tragic - tale as its beginning, it's not surprising that today the amaryllis has come to symbolize pride, determination and radiant beauty.
-Edwin Arlington Robinson, "Amaryllis"Once, when I wandered in the woods alone,
an old man tottered up to me and said,
“Come, friend, and see the grave that I have made
For Amaryllis.” There was in the tone
Of his complaint such quaver and such moan
That I took pity on him and obeyed,
And long stood looking where his hands had laid
An ancient woman, shrunk to skin and bone.
Far out beyond the forest I could hear
The calling of loud progress, and the bold
Incessant scream of commerce ringing clear;
But though the trumpets of the world were glad,
It made me lonely and it made me sad
To think that Amaryllis had grown old.
Non credi, o del mio cor dolce desio,
D’esser tu l’amor mio?
Credilo pur, e se timor t’assale
Dubitar non ti vale
Aprimi il petto e vedrai scritto il core
Amarilli è il mio amore.
-Caccini
Ciao, cara mia! Solo il bene muore giovane!
8 comments:
Such a beautiful tribute, FJ!
When TMW was here for all those months taking care of me when I was in deep trouble with my health (colon bleed, kidney surgeries) in 2016-2017, she planted some miniature rose bushes near our front porch.
Most of these bushes -- six, I think -- didn't make it through the winter after TMW went back home in September, 2017. But one bush, the one closest to the house and therefore somewhat protected from winter's ravages, has made it! My favorite one, in fact. I look forward to its blooming when the weather warms up enough.
I find happiness and symbolism in this one bush's survival. TMW brought love and beauty wherever she went.
She wouldn't want us to be sad about her passing. But I can't keep being miserable. For the time being, anyway. I miss her so much!
I took the photo of the white amaryllis from her Facebook page. It was amongst her last posts...
1. Red amaryllis
In general, red amaryllis represents love, passion, and attraction. Meanwhile, in China, it is believed as a lucky flower.
Regardless of its diverse meanings, red amaryllis can be used for the same purposes, that is, showing your attraction to someone.
2. White amaryllis
White is another popular color of amaryllis. Similar to the red one, white amaryllis also has different meanings. On the one hand, it represents purity and spirituality, but on the other hand it is used to express mourning and sadness.
The second meaning is considered more applicable because this flower is often brought to the funeral.
She knew she was going Home... and was joyous!
Oh my, I didn't know!
My condolences. AOW, she was always such an encourager.
...and always thinking of others.
A fine woman! A mainstay! The Salt of the Earth! A privilege to have known!
I knew {Patricia, but regret not having been given the chance to develop a deeper relastionship with her.
I believe that when we mourn for someone who passes to The Other Side, we are not mourning for her or him, but for OURSELVES
The loss of a beloved friend is always painful, but I believe we should REJOICE for THEIR sake that they have moved to a far Better Place –– a place of peace, contentment, harmony, joy, and fulfillment where anger, suffering and anguish no longer exist.
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make '
Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.
Nor do we merely feel these essences
For one short hour; no, even as the trees
That whisper round a temple become soon
Dear as the temple's self, so does the moon,
The passion poesy, glories infinite,
Haunt us till they become a cheering light
Unto our souls, and bound to us so fast
That, whether there be shine or gloom o'ercast,
They always must be with us, or we die.
Therefore, 'tis with full happiness that I
Will trace the story of Endymion.
The very music of the name has gone
Into my being, and each pleasant scene
Is growing fresh before me as the green
Of our own valleys: so I will begin
Now while I cannot hear the city's din;
Now while the early budders are just new,
And run in mazes of the youngest hue
About old forests; while the willow trails
Its delicate amber; and the dairy pails
Bring home increase of milk. And, as the year
Grows lush in juicy stalks, I'll smoothly steer
My little boat, for many quiet hours,
With streams that deepen freshly into bowers.
Many and many a verse I hope to write,
Before the daisies, vermeil rimmed and white,
Hide in deep herbage; and ere yet the bees
Hum about globes of clover and sweet peas,
I must be near the middle of my story.
O may no wintry season, bare and hoary,
See it half finished: but let Autumn bold,
With universal tinge of sober gold,
Be all about me when I make an end!
And now at once, adventuresome, I send
My herald thought into a wilderness:
There let its trumpet blow, and quickly dress
My uncertain path with green, that I may speed
Easily onward, thorough flowers and weed.
~ John Keats (1795-1821)
I believe we truly "FIND" ourselves when we abandon the anger, fea, anxiety and resentment that comes with egocentrism, and start devoting ourselves to doing whatever we can to make life less onerous, less dreary, and less painful for OTHERS who live within our reach..
The less we dwell on our own concerns, our grievances, our sense of entitlement, and our clamorous demands for "Justice," while we reach out to others with understanding, compassion and forgiveness, the happier, more productive, and more fulfilled we are apt to be.
It doesn't matter how LONG we live, or how much FAME and RECOGNITION we garner. It only matters how WELL we choose to spend whatever time and energy may be available to us.
If I can stop when heart from breaking
___ I shall not ilve in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching
___ or cool one pain ––
Or help one fainting robin
___ into his nest again
i shall not live in vain.
~ Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
In that one short utterance, Miss Dickinson demonstrates a clear understanding of the essential meaning of life, and the validity and value of Holy Writ, even though she, herself, was plagued with skepticism about the Church's traditional role in society, and what the true nature of God might really be. Nevertheless, without fully realizing it she was, indeed, a godly woman who understood Truth through intuition far better than myriad scholars and cynical philosophers ever have.
Our late friend, Patricia was a lot like that, herself, which is why we remember her with gratitude and affection.
Very aspirational. TMW was indeed devoted to others.
She was a Believer who worked zealously to preserve and increase her faith.
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