stained glass frames
white bells, here and gone,
nature’s embroidery
scent of Grandma’s talcum on
folded linen handkerchiefs
gloved hands clutch
a stiff leather bag,
sheen of a white slip
peeps from beneath a hem
circled with tiny white bells
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Note: These are two tanka in honor of Poetry Friday and Hello Weekend! Thanks to Poet Julie Larios at The Drift Record for hosting this week! She offers a delightful poem about the disappearance of half a girl-river or river-girl. I hope you have time to visit her and check out our weekly poetry festival.
Hello, your lovely poem evokes beautiful memories of an old favourite perfume.
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🙂 I’m glad you found yourself there.
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Love lily of the valley. Reminds me of my grandma’s house. Thought about putting it in here, but as you’ve said…it spreads…and I think it’s poisonous for dogs…though not sure of that.
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None of the dogs who go by eat any of it. It does spread, though. 🙂
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Brenda, this was a beautiful poem and such a lovely photograph, too. I am happy you shared these memories of your grandmother. I knew that some slips had a sheen to them, some were silky and others had little eyelet decorations. The bell pattern sounds like a perfect match to the flowers!
My Mom liked Muguet Des Bois, something like this, anyway. When we would get a bucket or two of Lily of the Valley flowers dug up from the side of our house in Bay Village, Ohio the scent was so prevalent. She liked to make casual decorations on the patio, with flowers the dirt included, as if they were potted plants. 🙂
My Mom took these from her parents’ yard, to three different houses, the last was the lake cottage in the front garden. I had them at my last house, too. They are so sweet and delicate, but hardy under their fragile appearance.
White gloves hands and purse which held a handkerchief with pretty, painted (printed) or embroidered flowers brings back special memories, Brenda.
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I’ve had lily of the valley at all my houses, too. They spread and take over the lawn, and I don’t mind at all. 🙂
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Que flores lindas nossa muito diferente 😀
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Obrigado!
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They are the most gorgeous of flower bells!!♥ I remember Avon used to have a perfume and talc, Lily Of The Valley. All the old ladies use to order those when they were on special offer. Interesting you mentioned your grandmother in relation to that fragrance, I don’t think it was perfume my grandmother used at all. She liked perfume called Blue Grass. I actually posted some of these very same flowers on Flickr the other day – snap – we captured the same bells! I never sensed any smell from them when taking the picture though. Could you smell the fragrance?
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Nope. But I can’t see them and not smell them in my memory. I still remember the feel of the powder puff and the scent in my room. She gave me some for a present. She wore it, too.
Lilacs, on the other hand, those perfume the air.
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Oh yes, I had a lilac blossom experience the other week in my aunt and uncles garden…wow, it almost had the fragrance of honey..very powerful!! 🙂
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Yes, it’s a delicious scent.
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I do love them… we have them in our garden, but alas their bloom has passed already.
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They are still blooming here, but the rain may shred the petals today.
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So beautiful.
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Thanks!
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Such lovely flowers and memories Brenda
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The older I get, the more days are for remembering.
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Beautiful, Brenda! These remind me of my grandmother so much I can smell the powder. I love the slip peeping “from beneath a hem/circled with tiny white bells.” Perfect!
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Thank you! I miss my grandmother, who would never have let me call her gran. 🙂
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I can still envision the yellow and green floral talcum powder tube from Avon that my grandmother kept on her dresser!
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Yes! And the powder puff, so fuzzy, like a toy but NOT a toy. 🙂
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
MY FAMILY’S SUMMER COTTAGE WAS SURROUNDEED BY BEDS OF THESE! 🙂
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They spread each year. 🙂
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Glad to hear it!
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Lily of the valley ~ is this what they are? Oh my goodness, I have them all over the yard, and I thought they were bleeding hearts. Well, thanks for setting me straight! 🙂
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LOL These do spread. Mine are taking over my lawn. I have bleeding hearts, too. Well, I would, wouldn’t I? LOL
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My wife loves these. I tried to get a close-up, but I couldn’t get a nice one. This is great.
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Thank you! I took many that weren’t good at all — blurry or boring or overly green. I was pleased with this one, and it’s from my own yard! 🙂
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They are pretty.
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I love Lilly of the Valley. It was my dad’s favourite flower. xx
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That’s sweet!
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I couldn’t help but think of my own maternal grandmother….well done, Brenda!
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Thanks, Matt.
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Lovely
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Thank you!
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As soon as I saw that lovely photo I thought of my grandmothers too. Love your evocative poem, Brenda. The white slip peeping from beneath a hem also reminded me of the picture book Her Majesty, Aunt Essie (except she had tiny crowns on her slip).
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Oh, I must get a copy of that book. What fun. I remember the slip particularly well since I was much shorter then. And impolite enough to stare. LOL
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That is one gorgeous photograph, and your words seem to be transporting many of us back to remembrances of the gloved hands of our grandmothers. Love your line, “sheen of a white slip,” especially. Thanks for sharing, Brenda!
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Thanks, Robyn. I always seem to be remembering this time of year. I’m glad to help others remember with me.
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beautiful AND Beautiful 🙂 I do love these little lovelies ❤
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They are so reliable and sweet, like a beloved cousin.
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and hard to subdue LOL 🙂
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Those coral bells bloom now in my garden Brenda. “nature’s embroidery” is lovely. We both wrote of something in the past this week. You brought my grandmothers back today, good memories.
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I needed that unconditional love for a moment. No one loves you quite like a grandma. 🙂
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I have a few of these Lillies in my yard also, Beautiful words Brenda..!
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i love these baby bells, have some in my garden, and i know the fairies loves them too. an old-fashioned flower that never goes out of style.
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With a delicate scent. How could the fairies not love them? 🙂
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Lovely, Brenda. I have a few of those linen handkerchiefs from my grandmother, too!
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Thanks, Julie. It was an elegant age.
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Nice imagery
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Thanks, Derrick!
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Two beautiful poems, Brenda. Thanks for sharing them.
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Thanks, Sally. I appreciate you stopping by.
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Funny, the moment I saw the picture, memories of older times came back. Lovely poem.
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I will forever connect lily of the valley and my grandmother. I think she’d be happy to know I think of her every spring with great fondness. We used to visit gardens together every time we saw each other.
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What a lovely memory, Brenda.
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Thanks, Cynthia!
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Brenda, your poem has a wonderful thought that resonated with me: nature’s embroidery. Would you like to offer this combination for my upcoming Spring’s Seeds Gallery?
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How prompt you are, Carol! If I have time, I will be delighted to try to combine the photo and words. Perhaps just an excerpt. 🙂 XOXO
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That would be great. I look forward to your offering. You can also place it under the hashtag #SpringsSeeds on Twitter so all can see before the gallery is ready.
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Yes, with a double s in the middle. 🙂
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Oh, soooo lovely!! 💖🌸💖🌸💖🌸
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Thanks, Line. XOXO
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I like your grandmother and I love this poem!
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My grandmother would have been delighted with you and your hummingbirds, too. 🙂
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