Don't Judge Me

 Don't judge me too harshly...
 with little else showing their colors, 
I'm thankful for the sweet delicate lavenders of the wild violets
growing by invitation in a few of my beds.
 
 Yes, I know their greedy habits.
Still I'm a sucker for their early and flagrant beauty.

Sonnet

By Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson
I had not thought of violets late,
The wild, shy kind that spring beneath your feet
In wistful April days, when lovers mate
And wander through the fields in raptures sweet.
The thought of violets meant florists' shops,
And bows and pins, and perfumed papers fine;
And garish lights, and mincing little fops
And cabarets and soaps, and deadening wines.
So far from sweet real things my thoughts had strayed,
I had forgot wide fields; and clear brown streams;
The perfect loveliness that God has made,—
Wild violets shy and Heaven-mounting dreams.
And now—unwittingly, you've made me dream
Of violets, and my soul's forgotten gleam.

4 comments:

  1. No judgement here - I enjoy them too!

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  2. I enjoy them too. I have seen whole lawns of nothing but violets which are so pretty in the spring.

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  3. Judge not lest ye be judged. Violets are delightful and grow in a few of my beds as well. A large clump has killed the grass in part of the lawn and I couldn't be happier! Just bought a few more to put in the lawn in hopes that they'll take over. They require no mowing, are evergreen here, and would be a better ground cover for that spot than the grass! Yours look especially sweet blooming so happily in your beds that are just waking from winter's sleep.

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    Replies
    1. I am both STUNNED and GRATIFIED by your comment! We have a few other "invaders" that must be dealt with this spring....i.e. fern and some very determined ornamental grass.

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