Wordsworth’s ‘host of golden daffodils’ is probably the first line that many of us will think of when we think about flowers in poetry. But what about lavender? With its gorgeous colour and heady aroma, lavender has provided inspiration for many poets, and we thought we’d share some of our favourites with you.
From early mentions, such as in Shakespeare’s ‘A Winter’s Tale’ (1611)
Here’s flowers for you;
Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram;
The marigold, that goes to bed wi’ the sun,
And with him rises weeping: these are flowers
Of middle summer
Act 4, Scene 3
Through to Georgian classics such as Tennyson’s Ode to Memory (written in 1830):
Like emblems of infinity,
The trenched waters run from sky to sky;
Or a garden bower’d close
With plaited alleys of the trailing rose,
Long alleys falling down to twilight grots,
Or opening upon level plots
Of crowned lilies,
standing near Purple-spiked lavender.
Lavender continues to inspire poets today, and the plethora of online poetry collections allows both published and amateur poets to share how lavender makes them feel. Some of our favourites include:
Lavender
Lavender, caress my soul, mind
body. Let me breathe.
Intoxicate me.
Let me drift
into the swirling seas of sleep.
Immerse me in the sensual scent
of ultraviolet dreams.
Memories
Scented whisperings of time
laced through lavender.
Overgrown garden,
rocking chair,
wrinkled hand in mine.
Lovely Lavender Rose
Love struck lavender.
Makes my heart sing once again.
Whence my eyes behold
whimsical beauty so rare.
Proof of love that’s born at last!
At Jersey Lavender, we would love to hear from you if we’ve missed a favourite lavender poem of yours, or the beauty of lavender has inspired you to write your own lavender poetry.
Read related article:
