Celebrating flowers in poems and prose

Flowers have inspired writers and visual artists for centuries. In honor of that, Flower Blog launches a new feature to celebrate blooms in poems, prose and famous quotations. If you're a flower fan who also loves to read, email me your favorite floral literary references and you'll get a coupon for 10% off your next Teleflora order.

And now, read on!

Bougainvillea

"Song Of The Flower"

By Khalil Gibran
1883-1931

I am a kind word uttered and repeated
By the voice of Nature;
I am a star fallen from the
Blue tent upon the green carpet.
I am the daughter of the elements
With whom Winter conceived;
To whom Spring gave birth; I was
Reared in the lap of Summer and I
Slept in the bed of Autumn.

At dawn I unite with the breeze
To announce the coming of light;
At eventide I join the birds
In bidding the light farewell.

The plains are decorated with
My beautiful colors, and the air
Is scented with my fragrance.

As I embrace Slumber the eyes of
Night watch over me, and as I
Awaken I stare at the sun, which is
The only eye of the day.

I drink dew for wine, and hearken to
The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.

I am the lover's gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living to the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

But I look up high to see only the light,
And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.

Flower Fact of the Day: 1,000 gallons of water are required to keep 250 baskets of petunias looking good in Clinton, Utah. Find out who does the job and more at: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700248151,00.html.

Jacqueline - Editor