A POEM ON BLOSSOMS

 

             A POEM ON BLOSSOMS

A blossom is defined as a flower, especially on a fruit tree or bush. So we have such terms as cherry blossom, orange blossom, apple blossom. Blossoms are beautiful but their life is very short. In fact, shortness of life, including those of human beings is an eternal theme in literature. What follows is a “To Blossoms” is a very famous poem by the English poet Robert Herrick (1591-1674). It tells us that all living things are transient. Humans are also like short-lived blossoms. They survive and show their worth in this world for a destined period and are then seen no more.         

            Robert Herrick’s poem reads as follows:

Fair pledges of a fruitful tree,

Why do ye fall so fast?

Your date is not so past,

But you may stay yet here awhile

To blush and gently smile,

And go at last.

 

What, were ye born to be

An hour or half’s delight

And so to bid good-night?

‘Twas pity Nature brought ye forth

Merely to show your worth

And lose you quite.

 

But you are lovely leaves, where we

May read how soon things have

Their end, though ne’er as brave

And after they have shown their pride

Like you, awhile, they glide

Into the grave.

                                                **********

G.R.Kanwal                                                     

2^nd June 2024