BLACK
"...there is a range of flowers, foliage and fruit that
are thought of as black, .... Included
in these is Iris tuberose, the widow iris, with its brownish, blue-black
flowers..... There are others, of
course, which make striking features in the garden, but none of them require
the use of black pigment as each will show, on closer inspection, to be a mix
of very dark pigments....."
Excerpt taken from Chapter 8 - BLACK - Page 110
The Botanical Palette
The Society of Botanical Artists
by Margaret Stevens PSBA
∞
BLACK IRIS
Near the spring grows the black Iris.
Enclosed around
the widow ground.
The mellow soil when all alone
In fields of sorrow's bliss.
Not empty of life,
nor budding miss.
Alone in self, yes,
solitude that hides.
Away from close display.
Nor cares where others pace
and set.
The willows cover and breeze submit.
The Iris cares for only this:
Dew from Heaven.
The Beloved's Kiss!
Longing now in shadows blue,
the Iris Widow in soil with dew.
Not like other buds.
Nor, like other loves.
It stays rooted near the crystal spring.
Tis there with musk of passion,
and, fertile feed.
It waits for Heaven.
It plants its seed.
None notice the hidden hand that writes
of coves of wonder,
and, Glory Light.
The Iris Widow
out of sight.
Breathing splendor in speckles fall,
the reeds of Spirit
to one and all.
A bird, a gnat,
a flower now.
Black Iris takes
its final bow.
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NEAR THE SPRING GROWNS THE BLACK IRIS!
CLOSE UP
Painting and Poem ©Rita Burton
