Virginia bluebell (wackybadger)‘To a Virginia Bluebell’ and Other Poetry by Lee Evans The Society June 1, 2025 Beauty, Poetry 6 Comments . To a Virginia Bluebell You nod to me across the trail That runs before my garden seat. With clustered bells of blue you greet My visit with a subtle peal. You wave your frolic fans of green So gaily, as if you had met Some kinsman or awaited yet A long lost friend to grace the scene. A friend indeed this scene has graced, Projecting in his mental sight A sphere within which Nature’s face Beams out as with a mirror’s light. Long lost no more, now recognized, My roots beside yours in the earth, Together we unite in mirth— While botanists but classify. Some people blow that way and this, Whichever way the wind doth blow: Some people fly like April snow, And say you have no consciousness— Unlike themselves, whose knowledge glues Each specimen with abstract frame. They see things but as things are named: Myself, I share one Mind with you. And I to you must nod my head, Assenting with the voice of Spring That tinkles from my bells and sings Blue music in our flower bed! . . Oak Grove Cemetery I glanced aside as I walked past the graves, Along the road beside the plotted hill. A row of mausoleums crowned the ridge, Where trees concealed the distant evening sun. Then a red flash of unsuspected light Leapt through the floral filigrees of a door, Insisting that I go and peer inside: A stained glass window at the other end, Between me and the setting sun, revealed A Celtic cross within a holly wreath; And underneath it written were these words: To live in hearts we leave behind at death, Is not to die. I turned and walked away, Then looked backward and murmured: Lazarus, Come forth. And through the door he came as Light— All shrouded in the grave clothes of sunset. . . Lee Evans resides in Bath, Maine, and works for the local YMCA. His poetry has been published in The Christendom Review, Mused: The Bella Online Literary Review, The Poetry Porch, and elsewhere. His books of poetry are all available on Lulu.com. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. ***Read Our Comments Policy Here*** 6 Responses Cynthia L Erlandson June 1, 2025 Lee, I think these are really impressive! “Bluebell”, with its personified flowers and “frolic fans of green” (using “frolic” as an adjective here works very well) that wave to an imagined friend, paint a lovely picture. And “Cemetery” really made me sit up and say “Wow!”, especially the last three amazing lines — Lazarus coming forth as light “in the grave clothes of sunset” is absolutely brilliant! Thank you for sending us these. Reply Arthur Lee Evans June 1, 2025 Cynthia, Thank you for your kind words! Lee Reply Rohini June 1, 2025 Two beautiful poems, crafted with such delicacy! Thank you. I loved “frolic fans of green. “ Reply Arthur Lee Evans June 1, 2025 Rohini, Well, the “frolic fronds of green” seem to be a hit! Thanks for your comment. Lee Reply Paul A. Freeman June 3, 2025 Great stuff, Lee. My fave line (and a bit) from A Virginia Bluebell was ‘A sphere within which Nature’s face / Beams out… I enjoyed the playfulness of this piece, with all its personification and ‘romantic’ ending. In Oak Grove Cemetery, I loved the analogy linking Lazarus and the sun, the sun being so ancient and so much a part of life. Thanks for the reads. Reply Margaret Coats June 6, 2025 Your conversation with a Virginia bluebell, Lee, comes closer and closer to an intimate sharing of identity. You explicitly discount the impossibility of such a relationship, and firmly claim the same roots. It is an unusual dramatic monologue! “Oak Grove Cemetery,” on the other hand, presents an actively expanding vision, perhaps a dream, perhaps a deeply felt account of overwhelming moments in an actual scene. Both poems are, as Cynthia says, impressive in the details of gradual revelation. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Cynthia L Erlandson June 1, 2025 Lee, I think these are really impressive! “Bluebell”, with its personified flowers and “frolic fans of green” (using “frolic” as an adjective here works very well) that wave to an imagined friend, paint a lovely picture. And “Cemetery” really made me sit up and say “Wow!”, especially the last three amazing lines — Lazarus coming forth as light “in the grave clothes of sunset” is absolutely brilliant! Thank you for sending us these. Reply
Rohini June 1, 2025 Two beautiful poems, crafted with such delicacy! Thank you. I loved “frolic fans of green. “ Reply
Arthur Lee Evans June 1, 2025 Rohini, Well, the “frolic fronds of green” seem to be a hit! Thanks for your comment. Lee Reply
Paul A. Freeman June 3, 2025 Great stuff, Lee. My fave line (and a bit) from A Virginia Bluebell was ‘A sphere within which Nature’s face / Beams out… I enjoyed the playfulness of this piece, with all its personification and ‘romantic’ ending. In Oak Grove Cemetery, I loved the analogy linking Lazarus and the sun, the sun being so ancient and so much a part of life. Thanks for the reads. Reply
Margaret Coats June 6, 2025 Your conversation with a Virginia bluebell, Lee, comes closer and closer to an intimate sharing of identity. You explicitly discount the impossibility of such a relationship, and firmly claim the same roots. It is an unusual dramatic monologue! “Oak Grove Cemetery,” on the other hand, presents an actively expanding vision, perhaps a dream, perhaps a deeply felt account of overwhelming moments in an actual scene. Both poems are, as Cynthia says, impressive in the details of gradual revelation. Reply