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The Woman in White
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Late on summer evenings
once traffic had ceased for night
she’d walk the gardens all alone
the woman dressed in white
The moonlight’s glow mirrored
on alba petals spread wide
many perfumed with fragrant grace
that she’d gather to bring inside
Before dawn’s dew had vanished
well hidden behind her hedge
she’d stroll again in her white night-coat
with a silk scarf covering her head
Yet ne’er during full daylight
was the woman in white to be seen
though the gardeners came to do the chores
all was still and serene
Her neighbors sometimes wondered
about the strange hours that she kept
But she dare not leave her ill lover’s side
except for when he slept
They say she loved her flowers
like children of her heart
But her dedication to her love
showed he’d won the greater part
His ashes he wanted scattered
over the lilies by the door
so his presence could watch over her
as he’d always done before
I’ve since heard outlandish rumors
that I thought could not be right
until I peeked into the garden
to see him with the woman in white.
Wendy/2013
I believe there will be a grand reunion in a garden lit up by a Presence more pure than light itself.
Pure Light Blessings ~ Wendy
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.
Revelation 22:5
An awesome, profoundly beautiful post!
Thank you, Easter! White flowers are like starlight in the garden.
🙂 A beautiful analogy.
Beautiful, Wendy. x
Thanks, Sue! xo
The believer has a fellowship with the Lord this world knows nothing about, nor cares to know. Beautifully expressed. I liked the ending, the promise of a time when there will be no “night”, no separation at all, but we’ll be able to worship and serve the Lord as He deserves.
Von, I wish for the world to know the height, depth, length, and width of his love for us. Jesus died and rose again to save the world – not to condemn us. When we reject that love we are left without hope.
I especially love the ending verse from Revelation! He will be our light! The way things will be in paradise are so far beyond what we glimpse now…and yet there are many glimpses of beauty, as evidenced in each of those flowers! Our pastor last Sunday spoke about the verses from Romans that tell us how creation itself is groaning for renewal and the coming of Jesus.
I need to read your poem a few more times to catch the bits of meaning I missed the first time around. Thank you for sharing these gifts here. Have a wonderful, love-filled weekend!
Blessings–Alison
Alison, my main point of this poem was to highlight the devoted love that some couples have fostered over many years of being together. Only the perfect love of God surpasses it. Blessings upon you this Mother’s Day, dear friend!
Your poem certainly painted a great picture of that devoted love. Prayers for marriages full of joy, grace, and love through all seasons!
Thank you for the Mother’s Day blessings. I’m not sure how much I ought to share, so I will just say that right before the weekend, we found out that a beloved family member has cancer. It was detected early and doctors are very hopeful about surgery removing it entirely. This lady in our family is praying, but she has yet to truly grasp what it means to put her life in Jesus’ hands….this all made Mother’s Day bittersweet!
I hope that it is a happy ending like a cancer encounter in our family was eighteen years ago. So far there has been no sign of it back in our dear family member’s life. Hugs!
Very beautiful poem and great pictures, Wendy! Have a great weekend, hugs~ 🙂
Thank you, dear Calee! xo
I particularly like the light in the first photo.
That was my favorite too. It is an apple blossom from our old tree.
Wow, so beautiful!!!
Thank you, Rexlin!
I love your collection of white flowers. The reference to a place where there will be no more night is comforting, as we lost a very dear young woman to a battle with cancer this week.
Tina, gentle hugs to you and your loved ones as you grieve. xo
Schöne Bilder— Gut gemacht
Gruß, Wolfgang
Danke 🙂
Special!
🙂
Wendy, how ever do you do it? Seriously, Finding all these white flowers that in itself is amazing and then your beautiful poetry…sigh! Have a great weekend.
Laurie, thank you for your sweet words! Happy Mother’s Day!
I love this. Truly love it. I enjoy your posts immensely. They are beautiful and inspirational all together.
Thank you, Dee! It’s fun putting them together.
Such a beautiful post, Wendy!
Thank you for dropping by, Jennifer!
Oh Wendy!! My new fave, for sure–I love the romance of it, and wanted the story/poem to continue; I got lost in the gorgeous imagery. God bless you today, BIG–love, sis Caddo
Caddo, I always enjoy your romantic poems too. xo
glorious flowers, with beautiful words Wendy…
Thank you, Heather, for your kind comment!
The first one looks as though the petals are made of lace. What a wonderful Creator we have!
Lyn, I like the lacy look too. White flowers always catch my attention.
I’ve wanted to plant a ‘white garden’ for a few years now – this reinforces my wish! What a lovely collection you have, Wendy. It reminded me of the Wilkie Collins Woman In White story that I love so well…
Melody, I changed my original title to match Wilkie Collins’ book when I found myself thinking of “The Woman in White.” I still have a copy of it.
Another thing we have in common! 🙂
I can’t remember books I’ve already read, sometimes, until I get half way through it again… In the book, “Christy”, I always forget if it’s the doctor or the preacher she chooses ( or none?). But don’t remind me, so I can reread it like new! 😉
What a precious poem … your gift with words (and with your hands in the garden) are a blessing to those who read and take in your pictures. THANK YOU for sharing them here… I love the lilies of the valley… mine are starting to peek up, just the leaves … but very soon the blossoms will follow! Blessings dearest, Wendy!
Heidi, I’m so glad to hear that you also have lilies of the valley. They are so pretty and fragrant. Enjoy! xo (Happy Mother’s Day!)
This is such a moving post, I think it is beautiful. I have Lily of the Valley just blooming in my garden now, they are so beautiful. But your photos have captured everything perfectly.
I used to walk late at night when everyone else was indoors, it was years ago when i was very ill. I found it so peaceful and healing. Your poem reminded me of how far I have come on my journey to be well. Thank you x
It is good to hear that you are better and not back where you were. The garden is peaceful at night when the town is asleep. xo
Beautiful words and very touching. The photos are blissful!
Many thanks.
Thank you!
Exquisite beauty in words and images.
Thanks so much, Sue!
Beautiful!
Curious – did you write this poem from experience, or from a Spirit-inspired imagination?
\o/
I definitely have an imagination… but there are glimpses of several lives I’ve observed over the years – and the influence of an old book.
Just wanted to be sure this wasn’t your current life – and that we needed to be lifting you up in prayer.
I especially loved the imagery. Simply lovely.
\o/
Heart-touching, thought-provoking poetry–you are a gifted wordsmith. What a delight to be introduced to your blog! And thank you very much for visiting mine as well, and expressing your “like” for “Not Length But Strength.”
Thank you, Nancy, for the return visit and kind comment!
This is godly ! I’m profoundly moved to awestruck !
Deborah, I love your post:
http://girlwiththepen1118.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/heaven/
Thank you, dear poet friend!
Absolutely gorgeous! I’m so glad I came by to see what you were up to! I especially love the first photo in the series.
Thank you, Sheri, for your visit. I like the first one too – it’s an apple blossom from a tree in our garden.
I’ve really enjoyed the fruit tree blossoms this year, almost more than other flowers, I’m not sure why but I noticed their individual beauty more this season. Your photo is lovely.
beautiful, Wendy.
groetjes, Francina
Thank you, Francina! 🙂
Wonderful. In the cascade of colour in our gardens you have created a special moment in concentrating on the white. It gives a new “light” on Isaiah’s “though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white…”
I remember that verse well, as it was recited to me before I took part in communion for my very first time years ago. White truly is wonderful!
Beautiful photos and a wonderful poem, You have a lovely creative gift from God.
Thank you, Lily, for your encouragement. Nice to meet you!
As always your phtos are truly amazing and oh so enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Charlie! It really helps to be able to just step out the door into the garden to take the pictures when I spot something happening…
Beautiful poem and pictures!
Thank you, Sheryl! 🙂
A beautiful post that starts out with a sense of mystery and morphs into a sense of Mystery. Lovely photos and atmosphere.
I always enjoy your writing, Victoria, and am honored that you have paid me a visit and a compliment. Thank you!
Very moving poem and lovely photos as always.
Blessings, Mollie
Thank you, Mollie. White flowers touch me deeply. xo
The giftings that the Lord has birthed within you are truly being manifested in your poetry and pictures. Captivating.
Deb, you are an angel who has blessed me so much, over the years, with your encouragement. I wish we could go walking, talking. and laughing together soon… hugs!
I enjoyed both the floral photos and the clever verse around them.
Thank you!
Jules, I really enjoyed writing it – thanks!
WOW am I blessed to have found you or you found me either way I am now following your blog…what an amazing gift God has given you. Praise the Lord!
Thank you, Len! I noticed that you write poetry too and will follow back. So nice to meet you.
Blessings ~ Wendy
not nearly as well as you do but thank you anyway …we all seem to have our niche but you are very gifted so I am glad we found each other God Bless and keep you and yours. 🙂
I always immerse myself in your poems, and the pictures are also blessings from above! God bless you richly!!
Much love. 🙂
Thank you, and blessings back to you, dear friend! xo
There’s a haunting melancholy to this poem, Wendy. Yet, there is the sweetness of love and grace and fidelity. My eyes mist the ore I think about your poem. 🙂
Thank you so much Imelda! I really loved writing this one.
Woman in white, a beautiful title for a beautifully crafted poem.
Thank you. I named it after a book by Wilkie Collins.
Great lights in your photo’s.
Thank you! 🙂
Elegant white garden to rival Vita Sackville West’s Sissinghurstl Virginia
Thank you! I’d only want a castle if it came with several maids.
Wouldn’t we all just want a few maids. Perhaps a butler. Ah.. then we must have a cook. All for the love of a white garden. V.
I agree, Virginia, perhaps I’ll need a butler and cook too.
A beautful poem and pure, lovely photographs. I saw some gorgeous white Peonies today.Thank you Wendy for stopping by my blog. Best wishes.
Thank you! I love white peonies and am blessed to have some in our garden. They show up so well against the dark green foliage.
Thanks for the link to this beautiful post. So many lovely white (alba) blooms.
Thank you for checking it out. 🙂 I had wanted a white garden for years; this garden has loads of alba that the previous lady planted. We have added to it over the last three years.
I think white is lovely in a garden, especially when it shines/glows in the summer twilight.