Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Caritas Strodthoff captures this refreshing photo of spring’s first aconite at the Motherhouse in Manitowoc, WI. It’s time to enjoy Jan Struther’s poem.
Earth has borne a little son;He is a very little one.
He has a head of golden hair
And a grave, unwinking stare.
He wears a bib all frilled and green
Round his neck to keep him clean.
Though before another spring
A thousand children Earth may bring
Forth to bud and blossoming–
Lily daughters cool and slender,
Roses passionate and tender,
Tulip sons as brave as swords,
Hollyhocks like laughing lords–
Yet she’ll never love them quite
As much as she loves Aconite:
Aconite, the first of all,
Who is so very, very small;
Who is so golden-haired and good,
And wears a bib, as babies should.
-Jan Struther
How refreshing to see this especially in the midst of Lent! I love the coolness of the icey snow surrounding the vibrant yellow. There is Hope! Excellent Picture! Thanks for capturing the first breath of Spring!
Sr. Julie Ann, that poem fits just perfectly with Sr. Caritas' enjoyable picture. Thank YOU! I enjoyed these phrases in the poem: “Lily daughters, cool & slender;” “Hollyhocks, like laughing lords;” & “Roses, passionate & tender.” We had 5 funerals this week & some of the bouquets of flowers are shared with St. Joseph's Retirement Residents, West Point Living Center & our convent. What a generous gesture to light up the lives of the residents. Speaking of “cool” we have been having cool mornings & warm afternoons here in Nebraska. “Laughing lords,”: the residents often share jokes while they are dining. One resident shared that her great granddaughter asked her parents over and over again IF she could have a kitten. Finally, her father said: “Kittens belong on a farm.” She looked up at him and said: “Daddy CAN we BUY a farm??”
Thanks for sharing this. I love walking around the Motherhouse to see what's popping up!!
Reading the poem prompted me to look up the term, “Acronite.” It's very interesting that the root of such a plant was used for its medicinal properties (as in relieving pain). How fitting that the burst of yellow lifts one's spirits. Someone else wrote: “I belive that in the midst of winter, there's within me an invincible Spring.” And then there is Emerson who said,”The earth laughs in flowers.”
Thank you.
Sister Marcolette
A delightful sight and poem as winter holds on and spring nudges forth!
Now I was prompted to check out the author of “In the midst of winter…” It was Albert Camus. I love learning new things!