Sunday 21 April 2013

Magnolia blossoms for Charlotte Bronte's birthday



Charlotte Bronte was born on this day in 1816, and I thought of her today, while walking in the park. Hampstead Heath is far less windswept and wild than the Yorkshire moors that inspired her, although spring has been a long time coming this year, and the blossom seems far later than usual.
Anyway, I have been trying to write a piece about the brief blooming of magnolias, and the flowering of the Bronte sisters' talent, but every time I have tried to post it, my internet service provider (the inappropriately named Talk Talk) has silenced me (or rather, this blog). Which is probably a useful lesson in the impossibility of making plangent connections between petals and poetry. Better, by far, I have decided, simply to let Emily Bronte's beautiful poem, Love and Friendship, do the talking here...

Love is like the wild rose-briar;
Friendship like the holly-tree.
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?
The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again,
And who will call the wild-briar fair?
Then, scorn the silly rose-wreath now,
And deck thee with the holly’s sheen,
That, when December blights thy brow,
He still may leave thy garland green.  

8 comments:

enid said...

What a glorious photo.Here we are enjoying the display of autumn. I saw this quote and liked it
Autumn is a second spring with every leaf a flower.
I am so fascinated by the Brontes and this post does make me want to reread them.

Lilacs said...

I've been appreciating and enjoying the Magnolias this week, so fleeting, elegant yet hardy.

silverpebble said...

I'm fascinated by magnolias. They're such an ancient plant - their petals are only barely modified leaves and they're only pollinated by beetles who are captured at the end of the day when the petals close. I love the fact that their genetics are a little wobbly and unsure, so that sometimes five petals appear on the flowers, sometimes six or seven - all on the same tree.

Wonderful to see such an enormous specimen in your photographs.

Rose said...

how beautiful, I didn't know this one

Lisa Pippus said...

Dear Justine...just saw your video about wearing a Chanel...you speak so beautifully about the confidence a the her jacket give. I was so touched that your decription was so truthful and honouring to this wonderful women. Thank you! I will head out and get your book immediately...

Justine Picardie said...

Thank you everyone for your kind comments. And Lisa -- I do hope you enjoy the Chanel book.

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