"There were many lilacs in full bloom. I find myself always reminded of the great tragedy of that day by the sight and odor of these blossoms. It never fails." (Walt Whitman)
After Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, Whitman wrote his famous lament "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed."
Fortunately the memories the sight and wonderful odor of those blossoms bring back to me are happy memories. Our lilac bush was outside my bedroom. On those lovely spring days and nights, the smell would drift into my room throught the open window. That is a favorite fragrance of mine.
In honor of those memories, I planted a lilac bush in my yard here in Columbia. Last spring it was loaded with blossoms--the most I have ever seen on it. I often wish I had planted it nearer a window to my house.
Ok--so when lilacs last in the dooryard bloomed should be in April. Most lilac bushes know that is the time to bloom. Well, my bush got a little confused this year. Imagine my surprise when I went out the middle of OCTOBER to find it in full bloom. (Guess that tells you I had not been in the back yard for a while.) It has as many or more blossoms than in April. I wonder now what it will do when April comes. I hope it isn't all bloomed out!
After Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, Whitman wrote his famous lament "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed."
Fortunately the memories the sight and wonderful odor of those blossoms bring back to me are happy memories. Our lilac bush was outside my bedroom. On those lovely spring days and nights, the smell would drift into my room throught the open window. That is a favorite fragrance of mine.
In honor of those memories, I planted a lilac bush in my yard here in Columbia. Last spring it was loaded with blossoms--the most I have ever seen on it. I often wish I had planted it nearer a window to my house.
Ok--so when lilacs last in the dooryard bloomed should be in April. Most lilac bushes know that is the time to bloom. Well, my bush got a little confused this year. Imagine my surprise when I went out the middle of OCTOBER to find it in full bloom. (Guess that tells you I had not been in the back yard for a while.) It has as many or more blossoms than in April. I wonder now what it will do when April comes. I hope it isn't all bloomed out!
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