It’s June and nature is at its most feathery. All greenery has a softness and nature is blooming. Everywhere perfumes jump up to meet my nose. They leap from hedges, front gardens, and road verges where wild flowers are allowed to thrive and provide sustenance for bees. Along the path running behind the dunes, I’m met with the herb-infused honey scent of the beach rose. On the way to work, I hold hands with the tall grasses bursting through the boundary of a small fenced-in field. We’re on the cusp of summer, carrying the still hope of spring in our hearts.
“The flower doesn’t go from bud to blossom in one spritely burst and yet, as a culture, we’re disinterested in the tedium of the blossoming. But that’s where all the real magic unfolds in the making of one’s character and destiny,” a just criticism made by Bulgarian writer Maria Popova. Who are you? What are you? Not who are you becoming? What are you becoming? When I need to remind myself to be patient with the journey, I turn to this famous poem by Emily Dickinson. I’m sure you know it, but have you read it with careful attention lately?
Bloom
Bloom — is Result — to meet a Flower And casually glance Would cause one scarcely to suspect The minor Circumstance Assisting in the Bright Affair So intricately done Then offered as a Butterfly To the Meridian — To pack the Bud — oppose the Worm — Obtain its right of Dew — Adjust the Heat — elude the Wind — Escape the prowling Bee Great Nature not to disappoint Awaiting Her that Day — To be a Flower, is profound Responsibility —
This poem by Emily Dickinson beautifully encapsulates the idea that truly meaningful things in life take time to grow and develop, and that we shouldn't try to rush the process.
The imagery of the flower blooming suggests that the process is gradual and delicate - the flower must "meet a Flower" and "casually glance" to begin the "Bright Affair" of blooming. There is a sense of care and attention required, with the flower needing to be "packed", have its "right of Dew" maintained, and protected from the "Worm", "Heat", "Wind", and "prowling Bee".
This speaks to the patient nurturing that is required for any worthwhile growth to happen. Dickinson emphasises that "Great Nature" must not be "disappointed" in this process - implying that forcing the process would be counterproductive. Instead, the poem suggests we must wait and allow things to unfurl at their own pace.
The poem also touches on the idea that the difficulties and challenges faced during this growth process are actually important. Terms like the "minor Circumstance", the need to "Adjust" and "elude" various threats, all suggest that it is through navigating these challenges that the flower is able to truly blossom and become "a Flower" with all the "profound Responsibility" that entails.
The most meaningful aspects of life—such as personal growth, the actualisation of one's potential, or the flourishing of a flower—require patience, care, and an embracing of the difficulties that are a natural part of the process. It encourages us to slow down, trust the process, and have faith that with the right nourishment, even the most delicate of buds can bloom into something truly remarkable.
I’d like to share this new poem with you on the subject of blooming. The acerbic language betrays my impatience with the process (I’m more Plath, less Dickinson). Insert sweaty face grinning emoji.
The poem is in the abecedarian form, or a version of the form at least. It’s as though I thought that running from A to Z would bring some order to this messy process.
Wallflower
Above all this potted plant must bloom. cocksure of its appeal while playing duckface, enduring flak doled out like rusted fetters, guttural utterances that pose as honest. Inhale it must through green air that has jellied, knotted leftovers of tendrils that lie muddied in the mind-alleys of abandon. Now on the day it accepts its perfect quiddity and swoons in same rapture, stranded— if left by a false Theseus, unshackled—a strong will like vinegar will wash nurturing through the xylem. Yours truly will burst out with a magenta zing.
Blooming marvellous
You also have to be careful to tend to the right kind of seed to achieve your bloom. Here’s a lovely quote by poet Danusha Laméris from her poem ‘What begins’:
What begins in beauty, ends in beauty. What begins in sorrow, ends in sorrow. The seed once planted, soon in full bloom.
There’s a wonderful project called The universe in verse. It’s a celebration of science and poetry. On their Vimeo page you can find beautiful animated poetry videos. Among these this gem of Emily Dickinson’s poem Bloom.
To help your writing bloom when attempting an abecedarian:
I’ll leave you with this beautiful quote by Ann Collins of Microseasons:
“I’m reminded to grow in patience as I believe that the wheel of the seasons turns lovingly. This generous Love is what we can experience naturally, slowly, day by day. Everything takes exactly the time it needs to grow and flourish. So do we.”
Next time: Light and dark – harmonising the tumultuous psyche.
As I was reading this, I kept thinking less about my own growth and more about others. You've captured why it requires wonder when meeting and getting to know a person--you, for example. :) Also, vinegar was the perfect V word for your poem. An ingredient of depth and complex character, in anyone's personal recipe.
Beautiful essay & I loved the poems.