Invigorated by Ephemerals

A May Day Call to Action by the Smallest of Flowers

A Trout Lily raises its voice, responding to the Trillium nearby…

…while the Trillium watches the sun hit a Bloodroot’s leaf.¹

These smallest of ephemerals along a path near my new home call to mind a similar symphony in our old garden, just on the other side of The Connecticut River - - communities of plants, offerings to those willing to notice.

Ephemerals from my past Photos by Lyn Swett Miller

This week, as I stitched these delicate, persistent and reliable harbingers of spring onto my wedding dress, I imagined my ancestors looking at these same blooms and feeling a similar joy and inspiration. ²

Trillium Shadow Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Awakened by the sun and flowing river and the magic of stitches revealing themselves on fabric, I am called to action…

Dress Veins & Water Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

…to let the spirits of my ancestors come to life, through me, antidotes to negative energies that also flow, but in different spaces and on very different frequencies than the one I’m on.

As the Bloodroot, Trillium and Trout Lily fade, the daffodils will appear in abundance.

A call and response that invite barefooted walks and a willingness to feel joy, even when the powers at be want to diminish our spirits. I, for one, will not be daunted.

Walking Among Daffodils Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

³Wherever you may be on this May Day, let the spirits of your ancestors propel you forward and the beauty of this moment inspire you…Because we are each part of a community of beings in a collective call and response, seeking the light, together.

With gratitude for you being you,

Lyn

And who knows what this Spring’s compost will nourish…For me, it’s a weekly reminder that even when things get messy and smelly, there is still beauty in the all of it.

1. Bloodroot: Bloodroot is a member of the poppy family. Its flowers last only a few days. When bloodroot flowers are in bloom, small bees, ants, wasps, and beetles are pollinators that visit the flowers for nectar. If the flowers are not pollinated in three days, the stamens will bend down to touch the stigma and self-pollination occurs (Georgia Native Plant Society).

Trillium: There are thirty-eight species of Trillium in the United States. All trillium species belong to the Liliaceae (lily) family and are rhizomatous herbs with unbranched stems. Several species of Trillium contain chemical compounds called sapogenins that have been used medicinally through the ages as astringents, coagulants, expectorants, and uterine stimulants (US Forest Service).

Love what AI pulled up about Trillium:

(1) The flower can symbolize finding equilibrium in life and releasing fears related to the physical body, fostering a deeper connection to the Earth;

(2) By overcoming fears and finding balance, the trillium can encourage mental and physical transformation, leading to greater self-awareness and connection with others.

I’m all in. Can’t wait to go hang out with those Trillium later today and tomorrow!

Trout Lily: The common name ("Dogtooth Violet") refers to the toothlike shape of the white underground bulb. The name "Trout Lily" (a more suitable name since the flower is not a Violet) refers to the similarity between the leaf markings and those of the brown or brook trout (Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center).

2. Even though memories of our old garden inspire deep longing, the fact that this triumvirate of plants exists so close gives comfort and brings joy. My mother loved ephemerals, as do her sisters. There’s a generational connection that runs deep in our veins. How cool is that?

3. When I wrote this sub-title, I didn’t realize the double-entendre until I’d finished the piece. “A May Day Call” refers to the day itself, the celebration of International Workers Day. But when spoken, it’s also an international distress signal used to call for immediate help in a life-threatening emergency. Many of us in the United States feel that this particular moment is a time to call for help as we witness our democratic institutions and values torn apart. “Mayday…Mayday.”