Thursday, June 30, 2011

Thursday Poem - Camas

Consider the lilies of the field,
the blue banks of camas
opening into acres of sky along the road.
Would the longing to lie down
and be washed by that beauty
abate if you knew their usefulness,
how the natives ground their bulbs
for flour, how the settlers' hogs
uprooted them, grunting in gleeful
oblivion as the flowers fell?

And you - what of your rushed
and useful life? Imagine setting it all down -
papers, plans, appointments, everything -
leaving only a note: "Gone
to the fields to be lovely. Be back
when I'm through with blooming."

Even now, unneeded and uneaten,
the camas lilies gaze out above the grass
from their tender blue eyes.
Even in sleep your life will shine.
Make no mistake. Of course
your work will always matter.

Yet Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.

Lyn Ungar
(from Blessing the Bread)

3 comments:

Julie said...

Just love the line -
"Gone to the fields to be lovely. Be back
when I'm through with blooming"

Shall say that to myself to remind me to let go and get outside for a while. :-)

Thank you

Julie K
X

Mystic Meandering said...

Yes, I am adding my "me too" to what Julie wrote... "Gone to the fields to be lovely. Be back when I'm through with blooming." Goosebumps here... Thank you as always for your wonderful offerings Cate... Christine

the wild magnolia said...

I am moved throughout my entire being!

History and words creating a desire to go back in time, to this place, and grind bulbs for flour! and...Oh my yes, "...lie down and be washed by that beauty...", even knowing how the bulbs were used.

"Gone to the fields to be lovely. Be back when I am through with blooming." Be still my beating, completely thrilled hear & soul.

Another fine poet, extra special, wrapping me in a cocoon of word bliss.

Thank you, for sharing! Perfect photo, clear and color bright, I wished to bend and kiss it.