Spring Flowers Part III: the redbud trees

Statement of Purpose

As the virus spread to the U.S., so did spring, heedless of the fact that the rest of the world was coming to an economic and social halt. As doors began to close, I became increasingly inspired by the bliss of the spring flowers opening happily around us. I wanted to capture the inspiration before it was gone. Today, I want to give joy to those of you who may have been shut inside their urban home or downtown apartment as the created world rejoiced into color and fragrance.

For those of you who missed spring this year, here is the third and final post in a series of three spring inspired shoots. To see PART I with the whimsical daffodils and accompanying poem I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud, click HERE. To see PART II featuring the romantic cherry blossoms and accompanying poem by Frost, click HERE.

Lines Written in Early Spring

By William Wordsworth

I heard a thousand blended notes,While in a grove I sate reclined,In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughtsBring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature linkThe human soul that through me ran;And much it grieved my heart to thinkWhat man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;And ’tis my faith that every flowerEnjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,Their thoughts I cannot measure:—But the least motion which they madeIt seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,To catch the breezy air;And I must think, do all I can,That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,If such be Nature’s holy plan,Have I not reason to lamentWhat man has made of man?

wearable flowers

Special thanks to Abigail Lewis Photography for partnering with me on this project.

Spring Flowers Part II: the cherry blossoms

Statement of Purpose

As the virus spread to the U.S., so did spring, heedless of the fact that the rest of the world was coming to an economic and social halt. As doors began to close, I became increasingly inspired by the bliss of the spring flowers opening happily around us. I wanted to capture the inspiration before it was gone. Today, I want to give joy to those of you who may have been shut inside their urban home or downtown apartment as the created world rejoiced into color and fragrance. For those of you who missed spring this year, here is the second in a series of three spring inspired shoots.

The first in this series, inspired by the daffodils, can be viewed HERE.

A Prayer in Spring

By Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;And give us not to think so far awayAs the uncertain harvest; keep us hereAll simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;And make us happy in the happy bees,The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting birdThat suddenly above the bees is heard,The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,The which it is reserved for God aboveTo sanctify to what far ends He will,But which it only needs that we fulfil.

Special thanks to Abigail Lewis Photography for partnering with me on this project.

Spring Flowers Part I: the daffodils

As the virus spread to the U.S., so did spring, heedless of the fact that the rest of the world was coming to an economic and social halt. As doors began to close, I became increasingly inspired by the bliss of the spring flowers opening happily around us. I wanted to capture the inspiration before it was gone. Today, I want to give joy to those of you who may have been shut inside their urban home or downtown apartment as the created world rejoiced into color and fragrance. For those of you who missed spring this year, here is the first in a series of three spring inspired shoots.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

By William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o'er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten thousand saw I at a glance,Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but theyOut-did the sparkling waves in glee:A poet could not but be gay,In such a jocund company:I gazed—and gazed—but little thoughtWhat wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lieIn vacant or in pensive mood,They flash upon that inward eyeWhich is the bliss of solitude;And then my heart with pleasure fills,And dances with the daffodils.

Special thanks to Abigail Lewis Photography for partnering with me on this project before our city went into full quarantine.