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Thursday, February 16, 2012

If of thy mortal goods


(Vaughan’s Seed Store catalog, 1893,
featuring hyacinths)

In the language of flowers, one of the meanings of the hyacinth is “a constant source of joy.”

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft
And from thy slender store
Two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole,
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

~ Saadi (1184-?1283), Persian poet

1 comment:

Charles Van Gorkom said...

I love basking in the wealth and richness of this little poem. Thank-you for the hyacinths!