Saturday, February 13, 2021

My black tulip magnolia and poem by Swinburne

 

Here is a photo of the buds and flowers getting ready to open, on my Black Tulip Magnolia tree. I took this photo on Feb. 1, 2021 and the buds are a promise of spring to come. I don't know why this is called Black, since the flowers will be red/magenta/purple when they open. I bought this tall tree in 2018. I understand that plant experts are searching for and breeding for a purple flower magnolia and this tree is a part of that search.

Yes, friends, I know it is still winter, yet in the spirit of my budding magnolia tree, here is a poem about early spring, written by Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909).

For winter's rains and ruins are over, and all the seasons of snows and sins; 

The days dividing lover and lover, the light that loses, the night that wins;

And time remembered is grief forgotten, and frosts are slain and flowers begotten,

And in green underwood and cover, blossom by blossom the spring begins.


 

To mark the end of the poem, and because I like this portrait of me so much, here is the portrait above. Diane gave it to me! I think I will share it here upon occasion. 

Oh and help is appreciated if you know how to NOT double space when you hit  "enter". That way I could display the poem better.

Added Feb. 16, 2021: Thank you commenters for your instructions on how to stop the double spacing, I will try this next time. To my friends in Texas, stay warm and safe, I have heard about your dangerous snow and power outages. I felt a little bad I am posting such a sunny photo when many people are so cold! Hugs to you all.




26 comments:

DawnTreader said...

Using [Shift+Enter] should solve it! :)
Lovely promise of spring!

DUTA said...

Lovely magnolia, lovely portrait, lovely poem!
I've greatly enjoyed all three of them. Thanks for sharing.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Like both the poem and the portrait

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love your poem and what Diane sent you or yourself! She sure is a special friend. When you are composting your post, are you staying in normal and not paragraph? Hugs!

Granny Marigold said...

A sweet poem and a cute portrait too.
I'm going to try what DawnTreader has given as the solution to the annoying double spacing. I hope it works for me.

Ann Thompson said...

Seeing buds is always a good sign

Mari said...

The tulip tree is pretty and I like your portrait too!
Hold shift when you hit enter. It took me a little while to figure that out too.

Juhli said...

I’ve not seen a magnolia that color before and I bet it is gorgeous when in full bloom.

oldgreymareprimitives said...

While getting the mail today I noticed a neighbors ash is bursting out of bud and into leaves. I was shocked, but then it happens every year. This gloom just lasted longer than usual it seemed

Margaret D said...

Black magnolia is just beautiful and very dark in colour that's why it's called 'black'.
The poem is lovely.
The question you asked - answer:
Where you write your post - on the top of that you will see 'paragraph' just click on that and a file will fall down so click on 'normal'.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Terra - lovely magnolia ... wonderful colour - and your poem and poster are perfect for now ... enjoy the coming of Spring ... Hilary

Bless said...

The black tulip magnolia buds look lovely!

The Feminine Energy said...

We have far more winter behind us than ahead of us. Spring is on her way, just down the road. She's coming! ~Andrea xoxo

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Beautiful buds...

Great illustration of you...

I can not manage spaces, in New Blogger either!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrr.....

💕 💓 💗 💖 💗 💓 💕

Nan said...

I love the buds, and the poem, and the picture!!
I don't like the double spacing either. I don't know how to stop it. I just saw Margaret's comment above.
Thank you!!!!

Betsy said...

We're sure looking forward to spring here. Our water has been frozen since Thursday night! The poem is lovely but I absolutely love the beautiful portrait of you.
Blessings,
Betsy

Visits With Mary said...

The magnolia buds are beautiful, hope you share a pic when they open. I'm sure the flower is a delight to see! Nothing wrong with sharing a spring poem a little early, especially with the weather we're having, reminds us there are warmer days ahead. AND, I love your portrait! Happy Valentine's Day

dori said...

This is really a nice portrait of you in this flower-cloth in this environment!

I love Magnolia! We have to wait still for the flowers here. This is a beautiful message of new hope in new spring.

The poem is moving my soul. It remembers me of the Spiritual Song of Saint John Cross: "....O wind of death from the North stop! Come, wind of the Soth and awake the power of love...."

Lady Locust said...

So where is that magnolia and how do I get there? About 2 ft of snow and it’s still falling ❄️ Up in your menu bar near your font and bold, italics etc is Paragraph- change that to Normal (for every post - don’t yet know how to make it be default). And a lovely poem regardless of format.

Carola Bartz said...

I didn't know there is a "Black" tulip magnolia, but it sure looks beautiful. Stunning color. My neighbor's tulip magnolia is in full bloom - I can see it from my window and enjoy that view very much.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I think many people are longing for spring and your magnolia blossom is a sign of hope and promise that it will come. Praying for those who are suffering in this cold and w/o electricity to heat their homes. We who live in warmer climes are very blessed to be here, but we do get our turn at other types of storms. I love the poem as well, and that picture of you is so sweet. Did you figure out the double spacing issue? There is a button on the top of the page when writing the blog where you can clear the formatting. I do that often, especially if I am cutting and pasting something into the post. You just have to highlight the section that is causing the formatting issue, and then click on that button that on my edit page is up on the far right side of the other editing tools. I hope you can find it. It is a very helpful tool to use. Take care and enjoy your magnolia! That is why God made it...to be enjoyed. Take more pictures and share them!! (((hugs)))

Willow said...

I am excitedly awaiting spring. In my new hometown, it is snowing and snowing. This is all new to me. But I trust and believe and hope that spring WILL arrive.
That is a beautiful magnolia!

thepoutingpensioner said...

Well I am truly amazed by those magnolia buds. I don’t know where you are in the States but that budding is surely bucking the trend? I’m going to dash out to check my magnolia, I haven’t given it any thought because it seems way too early to be hopeful but here goes! 🤞🤞🤞
Hugs Mary x.
thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com

Kay said...

Looks like it's going to be really pretty. I was wondering why they call it black tulip magnolia because it doesn't look like it will be a black bloom.

Britta said...

The magnolia looks lovely - and the magenta red blossoms are very special. I tried to find out why they are called "nigra", but till now I haven't found anything enlightening. I have a white tulip magnolia with a hue of pink in front of my house in Hildesheim - also beautiful. Though one has to beware of late frost.

Susie of Arabia said...

The journal cover is just awesome. I love all the details. It reminds me of a mix between Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. Nice!