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Monday 22 April 2013

A-Z Challenge 2013 - 'S' -Snowdrops



My A-Z posts this year are based on my garden – flowers, animals, the birds and the bees, butterflies - with a bit of poetry thrown in. For some letters I am expecting to cheat somewhat – wishing they were here.

S – Snowdrops, Shed, Spider, Sweet Pea, Snails

For Snowdrops are the harbingers of Spring,
A sort of link between dumb life and light
Freshness preserved amid all withering
Bloom in the midst of grey and frosts blight.
Pale Stars that gladden Nature’s night!
Snowdrops
When I was young, Dad’s garden shed
Had lots of things to turn one’s head.
Chisels, mallets, pots of nails,
Windscreen wipers, cricket bails.
\
Now I’m old, my garden shed
Is merely functional instead.

Garden Shed
 But one thing in there is just the same, even if of a younger generation

Shed Spider
 Thus I, gone forth as spiders do
In spider's web a truth discerning,
Attach one silken thread to you
For my returning.

That verse was written by the author of Charlotte’s Web but Charlotte would not have woven this:
 
Spider's Web
Some say that it was John Keats who gave this flower its name.
 
Sweet Pea
Here are sweet peas, on tip-toe for a flight:
With wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white,
And taper fingers catching at all things,
To bind them all about with tiny rings

This is not the time of year to find a one of these inhabited:
 
Snail Shells
The frugal snail, with forecast of repose,
Carries his house with him where’er he goes;
Peeps out,, - and if there comes a shower of rain.
Retreats to his small domicile again.

This one on the nettles in warmer times is much more decorative.

Snail on nettle leaves
 Meanwhile Sam was quite prepared to stay outdoors and contemplate the snow


Sam (1997 - 2010)
  Poems:
  • Harbingers of Spring – Caroline Elizabeth Norton
  • Dad’s Garden Shed - Pete Golding
  • The Spider’s Web – E B White
  • I stood on tip-toe upon a little hill – John Keats
  • The Housekeeper - Charles Lamb - snail

3 comments:

Jocelyn Rish said...

Oh dear, I think that spider picture might give me nightmares. *shudder* Although the sweet picture of Sam helps make it all better.

Hope you’re having fun with the A to Z challenge,
Jocelyn

Jo said...

That's something I really miss in Canada, Snowdrops. They used to be my favourite thing to see at the beginning of spring. Yes, you can keep your spiders thanks. I love sweet peas, not sure if I have ever seen them in North America.

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob .. hope you're feeling easier now .. just glad you're posting the pics .. love the snowdrops, sweetpeas - aren't they just wonderful ..

Your shell snail is pretty too! Let along Mr large spider .. and your neat shed!!

Cheers Hilary