Thursday, December 1, 2011

Milkweed

Milkweed
©2009 by Rolland G. Smith

milkweed newly opened2


milkweed seed on dried flowers


butterfly bush


I wonder when our lives are done,
If there is something past the Sun?
I feel it in a pod display
And see it in its light array.


milkwood seed wet


seed clinging to bushes


milkweed newly opened3


The wings of down sustain the life
When endings burst in seeming strife.
There must be more beyond the pod
When usefulness becomes the sod.


seedy coneflower deadhead


seed clinging to bushes2


seed on twig

Angelic seeds will take its flight
Upon the breeze of day or night.
And start anew in place supreme
To let the soul expand its dream.

Permission to post this poem was kindly granted by Rolland G. Smith.


Please watch this one minute video of him narrating his lovely poem.

You can also visit his website and blog.

74 comments:

ADRIAN said...

Perfect images of a very exciting weed.

sage said...

Wow, incredible photos Hilary. And a lovely poem to go with it.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

This post HAS to be the Post of The Week Hilary - no matter what 'the rules' say! Just glorious photography and the perfect poem.

Steve Gravano said...

Beautiful, one of my favorite wild flowers, all because of the seed!

Moannie said...

Ab-so-blooming-lutely fantastic. And to think it is simply a weedy pod. Makes one think there might be something after all.

Leah J. Utas said...

Lyrical images. Some reminded me of whales.

Nick said...

Hilary: you should get into micro photography (using a microsope). I've done a little, but with your good eye you'd come up with some great shots.

Anonymous said...

Oh... to have such a fabulous voice as he has! Not me.... for my husband of course.

DJan said...

Those milkweed pictures are so beautiful and ethereal, I love the one with little drops of water on it. Oh, they are ALL just beautiful, what am I saying?

Anvilcloud said...

Excellent MW pics. Much better than anything I've ever done.

ellen abbott said...

I love milkweed and not just for the butterflies it attracts. Your pictures show the other reason.

Anonymous said...

Wow - I'm mesmerized by the beautiful words and your stunning shots!

Anyes said...

Beautiful words perfectly suited for those dreamy photographs. Thank you :-)

TexWisGirl said...

gorgeous images, perfectly matched. :)

L. D. said...

You and your camera do give us some wonderful visuals. Great photos!

Daryl said...

lovely .. a perfect Thursday post

Suldog said...

Milkweed is one of my favorite plants. Seriously. When I was a kid, I loved to find one somewhere and release it's seeds to go floating around where they may.

Thanks for the swell poem by Mr. Smith, and the swell photos to go with it.

Kristina P. said...

I think milkweed looks so cool!!

Frank Baron said...

Loverly. Words and photos. They're amazing subjects, aren't they? You can shoot them from just about any and all angles, in any light and always find something interesting.

They're about as nifty as the Monarchs that depend on them. Well done. :)

Brian Miller said...

milkweed is so cool...there is an old cabin in the woods that has some behind it and we toss it up int he air to watch it fly....

Mage said...

Yesterdays flowers were wonderful, but these are delightful.

Gillian Olson said...

Fabulous pictures.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Never has milkweed looked better. These are some stunning photos. A good poem, too.

Don said...

Delightful poem and images for me to carry around today!

Gail Dixon said...

You made the milkweed look so glamorous! Love your style. Beautiful poem.

Teri said...

NICE!!! Really like that last shot.

Betty Manousos said...

incredibly amazing images!

love each one of them!

my hat's off to you, my dearest!

Betty Manousos said...

beautiful words, too:)

Bob Bushell said...

Brilliant photos of the milkweed. You caught it in the nick of time.

messymimi said...

Fabulous.

Barbara said...

Beautiful poem, beautiful images! Thank you so much for sharing these. I truly have milkweed envy!

Jo said...

So blowsy-beautiful! Wowie, Hilary, your gift is just remarkable these days.

abb said...

One of nature's most beautiful creations - and you - and Mr. Smith have honored it beautifully.

Liz Mays said...

You just reminded me how much I adored that as a child. You captured it beautifully!

Anita said...

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L ! ! !

I can see why Rolland G. Smith was inspired by it.

Thank you for opening my eyes to the Milkweed.

Scott Law said...

Beautiful shots to illustrate a wonderful poem. Great post!

Crabby McSlacker said...

I don't think I was even aware of milkweed until I saw your stunning photos. Wow!

Dawning Inspiration said...

Gorgeous shots - I don't think we have Milk weed here. I'm gonna have to check into it!!

Cheryl Kohan said...

These photos are exquisite, Hilary, and the poetry is the perfect complement.

I love milkweed and am just delighted when I see it has popped up willy-nilly somewhere else in the gardens. The butterflies are delighted, as well.

Mental P Mama said...

Love milkweed. Beautiful shots. As always...and a little risque;) But I guess that's where my mind is....

Cloudia said...

intimations
of immortality-
mind expanding shots!



Warm Aloha from Waikiki

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Dianne said...

each shot is amazing
and the last one goes beyond amazing into a realm where I have to find a new word

the poem is lovely

Red said...

Awesome photos to go along with a great poem. Great work to show the milk weed in all it's beauty.

Barb said...

This is Milk Weed as art, Hilary. Oh, the perfection of nature that you've managed to capture!

Reena said...

How lovely and you have captured the pod so gorgeously!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Amazing pictures. I love the clarity and perfect focus. Awesome!

yaya said...

Beauty in such simplicity. All we need to do is just look very closely and enjoy the show! Beautiful poem to go with those amazing photos!

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Adrian. :)

• I'm glad you think so Sage. :)

• Bonnie, rules are rules. ;) But I thank you kindly for the thought. :)

• I'm glad I could accommodate you, Steve. :)

• Moannie, so lovely to see you. There may just be, you know. :)

• Leah, I can see what you mean. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Nick, thank you kindly but I think I have enough lenses available to me for now. Thanks for your visit. :)

• Diane, that would be a plus, wouldn't it? ;)

• DJan, thank you kindly. You're much too kind. :)

• Thank you, AC. I had the use of a fine little macro lens for these. :)

• Ellen, it sure is a lovely flower. And those butterflies think so, too. :)

• LadyFi, thank you so much. :)

• Thanks, Anyes. It's a lovely poem, isn't it?

• Tex, thank you. :)

• Thanks very much, Larry. :)

• Thank you, Daryl. :)

• Suldog, thank you so much. I can imagine that milkweed would be intriguing for a child - especially on a windy day. :)

• Kristina, I'm inclined to agree. :)

• Frank, that's what I found to be true for sure. I was out there for close to an hour that day and focused mostly on the milkweed. Thanks. :)

• Brian, I'll bet your kidlets quite enjoy watching the seeds drift away. And maybe their dad does, too. ;)

• Thanks very much, Mage. :)

• Gillian, thank you. :)

• Linda, you're too kind. Thank you for that. :)

• I'm glad to hear it, Don. Thanks. :)

Hilary said...

• Gail, I thank you kindly and I suspect that Mr. Smith does too. :)

• Thanks very much, Teri. :)

• Thank you so kindly, Betty. Very much appreciated. :)

• Bob, thank you. I did.. just before the next windy day. :)

• Thanks, MessyMimi. :)

• Barbara, no need to be envious with all your beautiful images and words. Thanks for such kind thoughts. :)

• Jo! So good to see you back in blogging circulation. You've been missed. :)

• TSannie, thank you so much. I hope Mr. Smith will be by to see all of these kind comments. :)

• BlueViolet, thanks so much. I'm glad it evoked a fond memory. :)

• Anita, T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U ! ! ! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

• Thanks, Scot. I hope my photos lived up to his beautiful poem. :)

• Crabby, I'm sure you can find it somewhere between your east and west coast homes. Probably. Thanks for your visit. :)

• SD, thank you. Please let me know. :)

• Cheryl, thanks so much. Yes, the butterflies just love it. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• MPM, the pod is an interesting shape for sure. :)

• Thanks so much, Cloudia. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

• Thank you, Dianne. I almost didn't include that shot. I'm so glad you like it. :)

• Red, thank you so kindly. Much appreciated. :)

• Barb, thanks very much. You're too kind. :)

• Reena, thank you. I'm glad you think so. :)

• Thank you, Ruth. Your kind words are very much appreciated. :)

• Thanks so much, Yaya. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

VM Sehy Photography said...

Lovely shots. Milkweed seeds are so intresting. They have such intricate detail.

Dave said...

Hilary, you have really brought out the beauty in these milkweed photos. Well done. Is milkweed what the monarch butterfly caterpillars eat? - Dave

Zuzana said...

Hilary, these are absolutely stunning images, the details show how intricate these lovely seedy parachutes are, a true miracle created by the artist that is nature.
Have a grand weekend dear friend,
xoxo

photoioannina said...

Very nice details!

Sandi McBride said...

It is so amazing how beautiful mother nature is...but then, since God made it all, including her...maybe not so amazing...
Sandi

Sueann said...

Beautiful images and words!!
So serene
Thanks
Hugs
SueAnn

Kerry said...

I've always loved the milkweed, and when our first child was born, for the announcement, I drew a milkweed pod. It's one of the most special things I can think of, and I really miss seeing them here on the west coast.

Reb said...

Just beautiful!

photowannabe said...

Stunning Hilary.
These are true prize winners.

Pauline said...

So lovely -photos and words! I agree with Bonnie - you deserve a POTW!

SandyCarlson said...

Outstanding! Such a warm and wistful poem, too. You amaze me.

stardust said...

Touching moments of milkweed. I love soft, delicate touch like silk with power in its core and shimmering radiance of them. Weed pod is like a universe itself. Thank you for sharing.

Lynne with an e said...

Wow. I just wish "going to seed" looked as good on humans.

Hilary said...

• VM, they sure do. Each one a little different from the others. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)

• Dave, thank you kindly. Yes the flowers attract the Monarch and other butterflies through the summer. :)

• Zuzana, that was a very poetic description. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks very much. :)

• Photoioannina, thank you. :)

• Sandi, I agree. Nature never fails to amaze. Thanks for your visit. :)

• Thank you, SueAnn. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

• Kerry, that had to be a lovely announcement.. and very fitting for sure. Thank you for stopping by. :)

• Thank you, Reb. :)

• Sue, thank you kindly. :)

• Pauline, thank you for that. :)

• Sandy, the poem belongs to Rolland Smith and I agree that it's a beauty. I'm very pleased that he allowed me to use it here on this post. :)

• Stardust, that's a beautiful description of the milkweed seeds and pods. Thank you for stopping by. :)

• Louciao, ha! I agree. It would be nice. ;)

Indrani said...

LOVELY! All captured so well.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Fragile amd beautiful. Lovely post.

Hilary said...

Thanks very much Indrani and Elizabeth.

Anonymous said...

Wow. As always, your photographs are incredible, but it is a special treat to have a video of the poem's author as well. He has a wonderful voice.

Javier Guri said...

Great macro and details. Lovely bokeh.
Greetings.

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Karen, and he certainly does. I was very grateful that he allowed me to use his beautiful words. :)

• Thanks very kindly, Javier Guri. :)

Bengts fotoblogg said...

Lovely shots, great post.

Maggie May said...

The canoes & feather made brilliant pictures but the unusual seed was hard to beat.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Hilary said...

• Welcome, Bengts and thank you kindly. :)

• Maggie May, I'm glad you enjoyed them. Thanks always for stopping by. :)

larkswing said...

How intriguing! Like you can reach out and touch them...I think I need to sneeze now ;)

Hilary said...

Thank you, Lailani.. have a tissue! :)