This is a special memory I have about taking my mother South and visiting the flower gardens at Duke University in the spring before her death in August 2000.
Photo by Paul Jones
Remembering Magnolias
Ponds lay blanketed with water lilies,
And near the edge of each and beyond
Stood enormous magnolias,
Their branches cascading to the ground,
Before standing semi-erect in their struggle
To rise toward the heavens.
Thick, waxen leaves and giant blossoms,
With cream-colored petals
Dotted each limb in gnarled beauty.
Leisurely passing them by,
I secretly wished I had planted
At least one magnolia
While my sons were still little,
So it could have grown up
Along with the two of them.
I would have enjoyed the stateliness
Of a magnolia to gaze upon
In my golden years, reminding me
Of my boys in their age of innocence.
But as with many circumstances in life,
Time soon nips at our heels,
We've missed opportunities,
And then it's too late to plant magnolias
For enjoyment during our wintering years.
I've been to those gardens at Duke many times. You have captured their beauty so well. Lovely poem. Bittersweet that we do not plant magnolias in our youth to enjoy in our older years.
DAVID...I'M TOUCHED AND I'M REALLY NOT INTO MAGNOLIAS BUT I CAN RELATE TO 'FEELINGS'. WHILE THERE IS STILL LIFE, THERE IS HOPE...DO YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN? MAYBE YOU COULD PLANT ONE FOR THEM AND THEY AND THEIR CHILDREN WILL REMEMBER YOU...LIKE YOU REMEMBER MAMA. THANKS FOR THE SHARE. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
~David~
The Magnolia Tree was a favorite of my mother's also. She passed
away April 6, 2014 at the age of 94. Lovely poem to remember
the love your mother instilled in your heart. God bless.
WillA wonderful poem that goes far beyond a simple tree. It talks of missed opportunity and the kind of fulfillment that getting close to nature brings.
On the other hand, coming from the North, I had a rather romantic vision of the magnolia tree. Since then, I have observed magnolias in California, West Virginia, Atlanta, and Houston. While they can be enticing in a nursery or when planted in front of a model home, they tend to grow into a rather grotesque tree with huge sickly sweet smelling white blossoms and leaves that litter the ground around them. I have found that azaleas and dogwood far outshine magnolias in all seasons of the year. Still, I have those romantic thoughts of Steel Magnolias, the women of the South. I've met some, and it's true, they are far better than the Scarlett O'Hara image.
Maybe I need to visit the gardens at Duke University to see what magnolias can be in the right setting.
There is a melancholy here David.... probably as you were remembering and reflecting on your Mother's last visit to the flower gardens before she died, and remembering the beautiful Magnolias...
Your boys have now grown, and despite not having planted the Magnolia tree as you intended, you will still have some beautiful memories of their childhood innocence in your minds eye...and happiness that they are now grown themselves....
A beautiful reflective and wistful poem.....
Hugs,
Diana....
Beautiful sentiments for a beautiful tree, the Magnolia . . . Coupled with the sadly missed opportunity to plant a Magnolia to watch it grow as did your sons.
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Kathy
The Magnolia Tree was a favorite of my mother's also. She passed
away April 6, 2014 at the age of 94. Lovely poem to remember
the love your mother instilled in your heart. God bless.
Lady Mary Ann
On the other hand, coming from the North, I had a rather romantic vision of the magnolia tree. Since then, I have observed magnolias in California, West Virginia, Atlanta, and Houston. While they can be enticing in a nursery or when planted in front of a model home, they tend to grow into a rather grotesque tree with huge sickly sweet smelling white blossoms and leaves that litter the ground around them. I have found that azaleas and dogwood far outshine magnolias in all seasons of the year. Still, I have those romantic thoughts of Steel Magnolias, the women of the South. I've met some, and it's true, they are far better than the Scarlett O'Hara image.
Maybe I need to visit the gardens at Duke University to see what magnolias can be in the right setting.
Ron
Your boys have now grown, and despite not having planted the Magnolia tree as you intended, you will still have some beautiful memories of their childhood innocence in your minds eye...and happiness that they are now grown themselves....
A beautiful reflective and wistful poem.....
Hugs,
Diana....
Kathy J Parenteau