Prayer Flags

Flags in the garden, each with a prayer
Tied to a string with love and care.

Flags in the garden hanging in the trees
Gently sway in the spring time breeze.

"I have flags too!" said a voice from below
"Come over and see, but on tip-toe."

I quietly walked to a shady place
Where a big plant grew, then I saw her face.
The winged one smiled and spoke to me
As she hung her flags from her little tree.

"This plant is called a Bleeding Heart
In the early spring they are works of art.
The pink and red hearts all hang all in a row
And tinkle and laugh when the breezes blow.

"Each little heart is like a prayer
Filled with kindness, love and care.

And when the wind blows, they gently sway
And then the prayers can fly away!

"Tenderly they fly like wings on a dove 
To people and places that needs some love."

I smiled at her and she smiled at me
And the love between our hearts we both could see.

I tip toed back to my special tree
Where my flags all hung in front of me.
A little wind blew and I watched them sway
And one by one, the prayers all flew away!

To all kinds of people, big and small
Where love is needed, the flags hear their call.

Now a secret we all can share
In the garden are all kinds of prayer.

written and illustrated by Christine Summerfield © April 23, 2020

Tiny Purple Grapes
On my morning walk one day I saw a funny thing
Tiny clumps of purple grapes blooming in the spring!

Usually they grow on vines and get picked in the fall
But these tiny little grapes were standing straight and tall.

And then I heard a gentle laugh coming from below
He wore a funny purple hat and said "my name is Joe!"

"You see, these are grape hyacinths growing in a clump
Their flowers look like little grapes, they're fat, and round and plump!
But these little purple grapes, these you cannot eat
The honey bees they love them so, for them, they are a treat!"

And then that fairy smiled at me and with his purple hat
He bowed just like a gentleman, can you imagine that!

And when he put his cap back on, he gave a little wink
Then he was gone in a flash, before I could even blink!

And now I smile to myself, because now I know
​How in the fall and in the spring, purple grapes can grow!

               Hyacinths Galore

As I was sitting one spring day in my garden chair
I let the breezes gently blow around me without a care.
I often like to close my eyes and feel its soft caress
But this time there was something new that woke me from my rest!
Perfume that was so very strong I felt a little dizzy
And then I heard a message from the honey bee so busy...

"Oh yes, we have been visiting the hyacinths white and pink
We gather nectar from them all, we drink and drink and drink!
And sometimes we can even feel a little bit topsy turvy
The fragrance strong it makes us fly a little bit soft and swirvy.
The hyacinths they all do come from Persian lands of old
The prophets and the poets sing their praises bright and bold.
One poem that sweetly says it all tells of its treasures fine
How its flowers fill the soul with beauty so sublime."

And this is the proverb of old...

'If I had two loaves of bread, I'd sell one and with the dole
I'd buy a blooming hyacinth for it would feed my soul.'

And as I listened to the bee, I pondered of beauty and art
I need them every single day to feed my growing heart.
Thank you bee and thank you flower for your hidden story
I always greet you in the spring with joyful endless glory!

​written by Christine Summerfield


 

Violets oh-so Sweet
​As I walked along in my garden today
Dreaming of roses that bloom in May
I touched their branches climbing so high
Reaching towards the morning sky

But down below, I heard a gentle sigh...

"Yes, the roses tall do grow
But do remember to look down below..."

So, on my knees I did crawl
And found a family of flowers so small
Colors of purple, dark and deep
Awakening from their winter's sleep
Their tiny soft petals looked up at me
And told me their story with gentle glee...

"We come from the family of Pansies you know
But we are much smaller and don't make a show
Johnny Jumps Ups are our cousins too
Be we prefer to play peek-a-boo!

And we do have a story to tell
Our special gift is our flowery smell
Gently press our petals fine
And we will give a gift divine
Our fragrance is found only in spring
 That you can use us in so many things!

Our perfume it is sweet and fair
On your skin our oil you can wear
Infuse our petals in water at night
Or in the warmth of Father Sun's light
A floral drink you can enjoy
A spring time treat for each girl and boy!
Bakers let our flowers dry
And dip them in sugar-do give it a try!
Then sprinkle us on your birthday cake
The fanciest treat you ever will make!

We may be gentle, we may be small
We're not as popular as roses tall
But do not judge us by our size
For you will get a big surprise!

For we are the violets and in spring we do bloom
Remember us by our sweet perfume
Our time to flower is short and sweet
For we do fade with the summer's heat.

So take a moment on bended knee
And share a greeting if you please
To the violets, humble and sweet
That bloom in spring at your very feet!