For some reason, this is a good year for the dogwood. Local dogwoods are in fine form. Even the little one in our yard is blooming prolifically.
It is the provincial floral emblem of British Columbia.
The Dogwood Speaks Out
One day I could be forty-five,
That’s feet in height, I mean.
My flowers are a velvet white
With just a hint of green.
Their petals number four to six,
But never all the same,
And now I’m sure you’re wondering,
“How did it get that name?”
In Sanskrit, I am named for “dag,”
Which happens to be “skewer,”
But changing “dag” to “dog” makes sense,
And questions asked are fewer.
The berries on my flowers feed
An awful lot of birds,
And deer who want to browse my twigs
Keep munching them in herds.
The bears and beavers eat my leaves,
Perhaps they think I’m salad.
Then satisfied, they amble on,
They burp and sing a ballad.
For tanning agents and for dyes,
My bark is useful too.
The Salish and the Thompsons somehow
Knew just what to do.
The Cowichans made knitting needles
From my solid wood.
They knitted sweaters with designs
As often as they could.
I’m useful and I’m beautiful,
I’m really quite a tree,
For B.C.’s floral emblem
They’ve officially chosen me.
Love the photos and poem! 😎🇨🇦
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Thank you, John.
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Nicely done, Anneli! Love the photos, too!
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Thanks, Jill.
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Lots of beautiful dogwoods in bloom inVancouver. It was one of my Mum’s favourite flowers.
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I bet there are! Great time of year. Didn’t your mom do a painting of a dogwood branch?
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Quite the tree. Lovely shots and poem.
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Thanks, Belinda. It’s still small but it’s loaded this year.
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Your dogwood is so pretty!
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It’s finally starting to look nice, after so many years of just hanging in there.
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What a great poem and photos! 🙂
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TY, Lynette.
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A beautiful poem for a beautiful tree 🙂
Life is Good !
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Glad you liked it, Hans.
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I love your poem! The plant is an excellent emblem!
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Thanks, Terry. I have fun making up these little ditties. It’s quite a unique tree, I think.
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Recently my wife and I visited our latest granddaughter in Victoria. So many dogwood trees in full blossoms attracted our attention. Unfortunately, they are not doing so well in the Interior. Great photos, my friend!
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Yes, Victoria is full of them. Well, provincial capital and provincial floral emblem, they have to go together.
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They burp and sing a ballad! Ha!
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I know!!!! Sorry! The Captain rolled his eyes at that part.
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A poet and a botanist on our glorious dogwood tree, specially favored as our B.C. Floral emblem. Very appreciated Anneli, another A+!
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Thanks for reading, Marsha.
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Your poem is as beautiful as the tree itself. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Lynne
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Thank you, Lynne. Nice to see you here.
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Great photos, Anneli. Love the poem too. You are so clever. 🙂
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Ha ha, you think so? If you weren’t related to me, I’d feel all self-important. Thanks!
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So lovely!
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TY, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, Anneli.
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Beautiful poem and beautiful shots.
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Thank you, Deepa.
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A wonderful tree with wonderful flowers on it and a very wonderful poem! Your post just made me feel so good and happy! Thanks for sharing this wonderful post
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That’s so good to hear, Ursula. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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what a inspiring and beautiful post! the poem, the tree… lovely Anneli
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Ein schönes und auch noch informatives Gedicht, liebe Anneli.
Herzliche Grüße,
Martina
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Thank you, Martina. Have a great week.
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Mine aren’t quite there yet, but what beautiful trees. Your dogwood is amazing. And thanks for sharing your poem. I had no idea it was more than just a beautiful tree. 🙂
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I learned a few things from looking it up too.
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Great poem. I especially love the burping bears and beavers.
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Thank you. I like to put a bit of silliness in a serious blog post. Glad you liked it.
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I like to do the same thing.
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