My experiences of living as a seasoned immigrant in Cordova (Andalusia): humour, culture, history, illustrated. Also includes poetry, quotes, thoughts, and nature.
Feeling restless after having been stuck in all day because of work on the computer, I decided to give vent to my feelings and go for a walk around my wild finca in the drizzle and mist. I was surprised to see the following flowers already out…
The rock rose or cistus is already putting out some flowers way ahead of normal time
and the broom too (Genisteae) — probably because of the mild weather here in Cordova
The wild narcissi are on cue…and so are the delicate snowflakes (Leucojum)
The photo of the narcissus flowers brings to mind the Latin tale of Narcissus and Echo from Ovid’s Metamorphosis.
Echo, a nymph who cannot speak except to repeat the last few words she has heard falls desperately in love with the beautiful and conceited Narcissus, who is in love with himself. He rejects her and she withers away, eventually turning into stone, and leaving only her voice behind which echoes around the world.
Echo and Narcissus— John William Waterhouse the pre-Raphaelite artist (1903 oil on canvas, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool)
Fred Chappell (author and poet, born 1936, N. Carolina) wrote a poem of the same name.
(The italics in the following poem represent the voice of Echo.)
Narcissus and Echo
Shall the water not remember Ember
my hand’s slow gesture, tracing above of
its mirror my half-imaginary airy
portrait? My only belonging longing,
is my beauty, which I take ache
away and then return as love of
of teasing playfully the one being unbeing.
whose gratitude I treasure Is your
moves me. I live apart heart
from myself, yet cannot not
live apart. In the water’s tone, stone?
that shining silence, a flower Hour,
whispers my name with such slight light:
moment, it seems filament of air, fare
the world become clouds well. well.
Thank you for visiting — I hope this finds you well! xxx
Hello! I was born in London but moved to Cordova (inland Andalusia) thirty-two years ago. Although I qualified as a geologist, I had to retrain, and I now teach English and work as a freelance translator, writer and artist (sort of!).
I have written and published two books: Edward’s Secret and the Enchanted Throne for young teens, available from Amazon, and also 'An English Lady in Cordova - the Alternative Guide' which tells of my experiences (both humorous and harrowing) of living in Cordoba and later on, in the countryside location of Posadas. I describe the culture, history, geography and emblematic sites of Cordova, Posadas, the neighbouring villages and local Sierra — (hence the ‘alternative guide’ bit!)
My blogs talk about my experiences here, my day-to-day life, and also include poetry, quotes, literature, art, photos, nature, and thoughts and reflections. (In other words, it’s a bit of a pot pourri, but unfortunately, I still haven’t learnt how to house these categories into the different pages that appear in the menu!)
I do hope you enjoy reading my blogs, and I welcome your comments and questions, as I love to interact with people.
Thank you for visiting — bye for now!
Ver todas las entradas de Gilly
Publicado
2 comentarios sobre “Early flowers”
How lovely to have broom and narccisi blooming already. I love the fragrance of broom. I really like that poem too. It’s very cleverly done and ably demonstrates the two of them not communicating and Narcissus really being very true to his name. I will check out your wild asparagus (I didn’t know there was such a thing) recipe. 🙂
Yes, the fragrance of broom is lovely, and now I’ve seen that the mimosa will soon flower. This really does have a delicate perfume. I also love the painting by Waterhouse that accompanies the poem — the Pre-Raphaelites are one of my favourite styles.
An English Lady in Cordova 
How lovely to have broom and narccisi blooming already. I love the fragrance of broom. I really like that poem too. It’s very cleverly done and ably demonstrates the two of them not communicating and Narcissus really being very true to his name. I will check out your wild asparagus (I didn’t know there was such a thing) recipe. 🙂
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Yes, the fragrance of broom is lovely, and now I’ve seen that the mimosa will soon flower. This really does have a delicate perfume. I also love the painting by Waterhouse that accompanies the poem — the Pre-Raphaelites are one of my favourite styles.
Me gustaMe gusta