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 Ode to Fairy Wand

Every July the Fairy Wand plant near my entrance door is spreading out its magic. Coming up the stairs she makes you stop in your tracks. Who is THIS, who is HERE? There is no ignoring her magnificence. She speaks to every visitor, rendering them curious and admiring.

Her botanical name is Dierama. Each summer, fast growing stems will suddenly emerge out of the big bunch of tall, sharp, grass-like leaves. The stems reach high and arch wide, taking up lots of space. I can barely get to my entrance door. Within a few days delicate bell-shaped flowers will start unfolding, hanging, and quivering in the slightest breeze. Magenta bells dancing in-midst of empty space in endless motion, like a Calder mobile. I am not talking about mobile phones but about a kind of hanging sculpture with many parts, which keep moving on their own in ever-shifting balance. Nothing is fixed. Delight and wonder is floating in the air. Is this plant an Angel’s Fishing Rod?

Like with many plants, to describe her or take photos just does not do justice to the magic of the plant creature. One has to surrender and bow to its presence, an aliveness that is fragile and strong at the same time. I enjoy spending time with this playful dancing creature, observing, listening. Taking in what is communicated here. On mornings when bees are climbing into the many bells, the humming and buzzing gets intense. Delirious :)

Yes, says fairy bell bee as she buzzes and hums with delight – from one bell to the other, a big feast!

And so many changes every day: the bright colored bells dry up; new ones emerge further down the stem, a seemingly endless unfolding. The old ones at the top fall, and tiny seeds appear in silvery husks, grow big and round, turn green and purple, now hanging and bouncing along the generously arching stalks. There is no end to the beauty and elegance of Fairy Wand’s ongoing transformation. Long after all color is gone, with the dry seeds hanging in translucent skins, Fairy Wand will still spread her shimmering mystery and magic. She evokes wonder and awe. How lucky we are to be in her presence.

Comments

  1. Alex KAugust 6, 2021 at 3:00 PM

    So beautifully written, capturing the Fairy Wands magic and inviting to open to the life all around.

    ReplyDelete
  2. KarinaAugust 6, 2021 at 5:16 PM

    I hope you can see it in person, it lasts for quite a while....

    ReplyDelete

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