February 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday ~Tulips Do Not Wilt So Much as Faint


Tulips

by A.E. Stallings

The tulips make me want to paint,
Something about the way they drop
Their petals on the tabletop
And do not wilt so much as faint,

Something about their burnt-out hearts,
Something about their pallid stems
Wearing decay like diadems,
Parading finishes like starts,

Something about the way they twist
As if to catch the last applause,
And drink the moment through long straws,
And how, tomorrow, they’ll be missed.

The way they’re somehow getting clearer,
The tulips make me want to see
The tulips make the other me
(The backwards one who’s in the mirror,

The one who can’t tell left from right),
Glance now over the wrong shoulder
To watch them get a little older
And give themselves up to the light.


Source: Poetry (June 2009)

24 comments:

  1. It is so beautiful I might just draw it later. It's Chinese New Year's Eve.

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  2. Lovely. I love that grainy effect. To you use photoshop elements? Just asking because I am deciding whether to purchase it or not. Charmaine

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  3. I love this and that poet is so right. I could never get bored great tulip photos.

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  4. A lovely poem and obviously the author really knew tulips.

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  5. Hey Cat,
    beautiful picture and beautiful poem! I hated interpreting poems at school. I thought it destroyed the beauty of it. This one here is just perfect. No need to take it apart!
    My mom and I decided a few days ago that winter is over now (with temperatures still below freezing point a very optimistic call ;-) ) and bought a bundle of tulips. They make me believe spring is not that far away anymore!
    By the way I will be in Austin in march. Hope to see you then.
    Take care, Sandra

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  6. Stunning photograph Cat! Gorgeous . . . as poetic as the words of A. E. . . . beautiful and rings so true for me. I love how her words capture the feeling of tulips . . . as with your title . . . so true. I love this poem! ". . . drink the moment through long straws," Lovely, Lovely! I hope you enjoy the day.

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  7. What a beautiful poem, Cat! Tulips are one of my favorite flowers and this is such a lovely tribute to it. Thank you for sharing your love of poetry :)

    PS...hope you're staying warm! It's 18 degrees here this morning!

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  8. This poem just makes me smile and I'm so pleased that it has brought so much joy to you all too ;)

    It's 18 degrees here and we are having rolling black outs. We have about 10 minutes of electricity at a time so of course, I'm checking email and blogging!

    Thanks for all your kind words...happy New Year One! And to fairchildstreet - yes, PSE 9 - absolutely love it!

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  9. Great image as always! And how did you come across the poem? "Faint" seems much more appropriate now.

    My 10 y/o daughter has PSE 7.0. Will she be able to do that?

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  10. Beautiful postings you have had these days. It is 18 degrees here - supposed to be 9 degrees tonight. Rolling black outs have been through here this morning also. I will say blogging does keep the fingers warm.

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  11. Tulips are my favorites! Nice! Margie

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  12. Thank you TG, Margie, and Jennifer!

    Hello Bom, yes your daughter can add effects like these in PSE 7. I had 6 and just upgraded to 9 a few weeks ago...she'll have a blast creating lots of cool works!!

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  13. Sandra, so glad to hear you will be visiting in March! Absolutely, we will all get together and celebrate your visit!

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  14. What a marvelous poem~I love the imagery of tulips fainting! An excellent photo. gail

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  15. What a lovely poem, it really does capture the nature of tulips. Your photo is gorgeous too, I love the faded pink.

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  16. Beautiful photo and complimentary tulip poem. Delightful, dear Cat!

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  17. Lovely photo effect and wonderful poem. You made me smile today.

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  18. Beautiful photo! love the effect you gave it, goes perfect with the little poem

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  19. I have lots of plants "fainting" in this cold weather! Hopefully they will perk up when the temps rise. Take care...stay warm!

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  20. You have an amazing gift. What a stunning combination of your photograph and the perfect poem.

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  21. I love tulips and am always sad when they begin their faint. You've managed to make them beautiful even in that state!

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  22. Beautiful picture. I used to work for a flowerbulb company and the tulips were always my favorite. I love them in vases, especially after a few days.

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