Lycoris squamigera is their Latin name, but I have always known them as surprise lilies. They pop up practically overnight and bloom so quickly as to seemingly defy nature.
This particular specimen was a super surprise. It came up before I realized or saw it, and while doing some work in the area, I accidentally stepped on it so hard that it was horizontal on the ground and looked to my eyes as if it could not survive. I felt terrible when I saw it and felt I should complete the detaching and give it a proper burial, but I was pressed for time and left it there for later.
And lo and behold, that amazing energy that makes it grow so quickly must also have restorative powers, because even with its stalk partially crushed, it straightened itself up and bloomed, as you can see!
Tonight I look to the lily as a symbol for my blog. Not giving up, despite the thin tissue holding it together! Rising once again to surprise those loyal readers who inform me occasionslly that they've checked and not seen anything new for a while.
Some things in life are calming down a bit, so I hope to find a new rhythm for writing. Time will tell.
Lycoris squamigera. Never underestimate the power.
(And, no, I have never actually had a burial service for a deceased flower. I just love surprise lilies so much and felt so bad for stepping on it that a little goodbye and apology seemed in order.)
2 comments:
Andf squamigera is such a wonderful word too!
What an amazing thing, looks as if it's a cut flower someone just stuck in the ground. Welcome back, surprising one!
I've added the second snap shot to my background folder on my computer. Hopefully one day over the long winter, it'll surprise me and pop-up in my background to remind me that Spring will come again.
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