An Introduction to Botany

There is a flower that bees prefer,
And butterflies desire;
To gain the purple democrat
The humming-birds aspire.

And whatsoever insect pass,
A honey bear away
Proportioned to his several dearth
And her capacity.

Her face is rounder than the moon,
And ruddier than the gown
Of orchis in the pasture,
Or rhododendron worn.

She doth not wait for June;
Before the world is green
Her sturdy little countenance
Against the wind is seen,

Contending with the grass,
Near kinsman to herself,
For privilege of sod and sun,
Sweet litigants for life.

And when the hills are full,
And newer fashions blow,
Doth not retract a single spice
For pang of jealousy.

Her public be the noon,
Her providence the sun,
Her progress by the bee proclaimed
In sovereign, swerveless tune.

The bravest of the host,
Surrendering the last,
Nor even of defeat aware
When cancelled by the Frost.

                                                – Emily Dickinson

IMG_1301My Lily (London Wetland Centre, Barnes: 2009)

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Perfect White (Chelsea Physic Garden: 2011)

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Gathering Dew (Kew Gardens: 2013)

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Delicacy Made Real (Canterbury: 2010)

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Still Life (Begur, Spain: 2011)

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On Purple (Kew Gardens: 2013)

cactus

Spikes (Kew Gardens: 2013)

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Springtime (Dulwich: 2011)

4 thoughts on “An Introduction to Botany

  1. Judith

    What beautiful photographs! What a talented girlfriend my son hath chosen. And she cooks a darned good lemon chicken, too.

    Reply
  2. Steph

    Love this post and its simplicity! The pictures are beautiful – love the still life and the springtime in Dulwich- feeling of hope that spring will come again soon. X

    Reply
  3. Dave

    Beautiful stuff Vix. Be brave and enter some images in competitions. You’ll get a constructive critique on them and you’ll realise how good they are!

    Reply

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