Saturday, June 19, 2010




The Bleeding Heart
by Mary Oliver

I know a bleeding-heart plant that has thrived
for sixty years if not more, and has never
missed a spring without rising and spreading
itself into a grassy bush, with many small red
hearts dangling. Don't you think that deserves
a little thought? The woman who planted it
has been gone for a long time, and everyone
who saw it in that time has also died or moved
away and so, like so many stories, this one can't
get finished properly. Most things that are
important, have you noticed, lack a certain
neatness. More delicious, anyway is to
remember my grandmother's pleasure when
the dissolve of winter was over and the green
knobs appeared and began to rise, and to cre-
ate their many hearts. One would say she was
a simple woman, made happy by simple
things. I think this was true. And more than
once, in my long life, I have wished to be her. 


The bleeding heart flowers are beautiful to behold.  I would like to think that instead of bleeding, perhaps they are overflowing with joy for the small, simple events, tasks, and surprises in life. 

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!  Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to find other Happy Pink Posts!

5 comments:

Claudia said...

Mary Oliver is my favorite poet. Thanks for sharing her beautiful nature-inspired poetry with us. Happy Pink Saturday.

xo
Claudia

nannykim said...

Such pretty flowers. Simplicity is beautiful.

Maggie said...

I love the bleeding hearts and these are so pretty. and i like your words that enhance the picture- nice!

Happy belated Pink Saturday from
Maggie Mae!
"Do these shoes match this purse?"

barbarasaintjacques said...

Marilyn, Love that story, and love the poetry of Mary Oliver as well. So nice to visit your blog as it has such a layed back atmosphere, is aesthetically pleasing, and offers treasures to share. <3

Char said...

Isn't the bleeding heart just a gift from heaven. Who would have thought a plant could produce something so gorgeous. It's always wonderful to remember those who you have loved and now are passed. Happy Pink Saturday, Char