by Edgar A. Guest
Old-fashioned flowers! I love them all:
The morning-glories on the wall,
The pansies in their patch of shade,
The violets, stolen from a glade,
The bleeding hearts and columbine,
Have long been garden friends of mine;
But memory every summer flocks
About a clump of hollyhocks . . . .
by Nixon Waterman
O, rose of June, thou art so fair!
Thy beauty our being entrances,
As though the sweet blossom-scent air,
The butterfly merrily dances . . . .
In Nixon Waterman's poem "The Rose," the author reflects on the symbolism of the rose and how it represents life, beauty, and growth. The poem suggests that one's perspective on life determines how they perceive its beauty. For those who view life with joy and love, each day is filled with excitement, even in the face of challenges. On the contrary, those with a negative outlook on life see it as something to endure, focusing only on its hardships. The poem encourages us to see beyond life's difficulties, comparing them to the thorns on a rose that hide its splendor. Ultimately, it conveys the idea that life's beauty is revealed to those who have a positive and optimistic perspective, much like the beauty of a blooming rose in summer.
by John Imrie
Flowers are loved by young and old,
As they gracefully unfold
Sweetness caught from Eden's bowers,
When at first God made the flowers:
Rich in every tint and hue,
Smiling, through their tears of dew;
Beauty's glory crowns their head,
As they peep from grassy bed . . . .
In "Flowers" by John Imrie, the poem celebrates the universal love for flowers and the qualities they symbolize. Each type of flower mentioned is associated with a particular virtue or emotion, emphasizing the richness of human experience reflected in nature. The poem suggests that flowers can be teachers, imparting lessons about purity, humility, happiness, love, and beauty. Imrie also alludes to the divine role of creation, likening the beauty of flowers to God's creative handiwork. The poem conveys the idea that, like flowers, human life is short but can be meaningful if filled with good deeds and sublime thoughts that withstand the test of time. Ultimately, gardens serves as a reminder of the beauty and wisdom found in the natural world and the potential for human life to reflect those qualities.
by Eloise A. Skimings
Only a flower, on the pavement it lay,
Falling unseen from some beauteous bouquet;
Picked up by some one, and tended with care
It blooms now as fresh as it bloomed in the air . . . .
by Mary C. Ryan
Oh! the flowers that bloom in beauty today,
Tomorrow may fade, so soon they decay.
They'll vanish from earth, ever summer is over,
They'll pass like the dew, and blossom no more . . . .
Related: Garden Poems
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Famous Poems Reflecting Garden Life and Work
These poems capture the labor of love that goes into creating and maintaining a garden, highlighting the dedication and care needed to nurture plants.
by Lillian E. Curtis
Ah! hers was a bright and cheery place,
A quiet, secluded little spot,
Where, with her little flock around her,
She had a cheerful, happy lot . . . .
In "Oh! The Flowers" by Mary C. Ryan, the poem beautifully explores the transient nature of life and its fleeting moments of joy and hope. Through the metaphor of blooming flowers and passing seasons, the poet reminds us that just as flowers wither and vanish, so do our hopes and cherished moments. The poem emphasizes the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing each moment, not living solely for the present but also preparing for the future. It encourages us to appreciate the beauty of life's passing moments while acknowledging that our ultimate hope lies in the eternal. The poem's reflective and contemplative tone encourages readers to savor the beauty of the fleeting present and find solace in the belief in an everlasting spiritual existence beyond life's brevity.
by Patience Strong
I've put my bulbs in coloured bowls and hidden them away -
Inside my cupboard, where they cannot see the light of day -
I've put them in the soft black mould as cosy as can be -
And in the quiet darkness they will work their mystery . . . .
Poet: Madeline F. Sewell
Life is so much like a garden, cluttered up with cares and weeds.
They rob it of its clean appearance, they are thoughtless words and deeds;
A life of fruitfulness I long for ..a cleaner lot to plant my seeds.
Not yet have they destroyed my garden, I must pull them right away;
Intruding weeds must be abandoned..Offensive words I must not say..
No selfish deeds may I leave growing, if deeds of worth would grow today.
I'll plant the best seeds in my garden, I'll fertilize it well with prayer..
I'll cultivate my deeds of kindness, water them with love and care;
Then wait for God to make my garden a thing of beauty..rich and rare!
Related: Poems about Gardens by Famous Poets
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Short Famous Garden Poems
Enjoy a collection of shorter poems by renowned poets that beautifully convey the essence of gardens in just a few lines.
I will not vex my bosom;
Enough, if at the end of all
A little garden blossom.
Tennyson
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
Shelley
and mint and thyme,
And flowers for posies.
Wordsworth
The sweetest flower for scent that blows;
And all rare blossoms from ... every clime
Grew in that garden in per- ... feet prime.
Shelley
We thank thee for thy wise design
Whereby these human hands of ours
In Nature’s garden work with thine.
Whittier
Was lovelier with its birds and flowers
Than is this silent place of snow
With feathery branches drooping low.
Mary Howitt
Key Reflections in these Short Famous Garden Poems:
- Beauty in Nature - The poems celebrate the beauty of gardens, highlighting the joy and serenity that flowers, herbs, and nature bring to life. They remind us of the transformative power of nature to uplift our spirits.
- Symbol of Hope and Renewal - Gardens serve as symbols of hope and renewal, as seen in the references to spring awakening and blossoming flowers. They reflect the cyclical nature of life, where new beginnings emerge from periods of rest and dormancy.
- Human Connection to Nature - The poems emphasize the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, portraying gardening as a shared endeavor that allows us to cultivate beauty, appreciate life’s simple pleasures, and find fulfillment in nurturing growth.
Related: Famous Poets
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