Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
Robert Herrick captured all that is fleeting about love and life in his poem, “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time,” circa 1640. Centuries have passed and much has changed, yet the heart is constant. Foolish are those who are coy and delay for … This same flower that smiles today, Tomorrow will be dying. His poem is joyful yet sad. It moves us to embrace life — and be quick about it. Why cautiously tiptoe around the edges. Abandon pretentions, dive right in. What is life for, if not for living?
Gardening is a metaphor for life; plants shrug off the vagaries of winter and then smile and grow. As a budding horticulturist once said, “Bloom where you are planted.” That is what plants do, and so should we. No more remorse, whining, being coy, or looking at what others may be doing.
May is no maybe, especially when it comes to Mother’s Day, in the garden or elsewhere. The sun is up, now make the most of it.
Make Mom proud.
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
By Robert Herrick
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he’s to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.
