An Eye for an Iris

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”

Buddha

In early May, the irises bloom in my garden. A designated bed accessed by a wooden gate holds the community of plants. Ten erect stems stand tall, each giving birth to one large flower. Pale lavender, fiery purple and neon yellow are the first colors to greet my eyes. Narrow, sword shaped leaves branch upward to provide a base for the stalks. Placing my yard chair near the edge of the plot, I sit to study these natural beauties.

Irises belong to the world of imagination. In a moment, they flutter like butterflies ready to take flight. Originating from the Greek word for rainbow, the species provides a wide variety of colorful hues. According to Wikipedia, the drooping portion of the flower (the sepals) are referred to as “falls.” Often adorned with colorful veins, lines or dots, they support the petals which stand upright.

A delightful mound of creamy lavender petals sits atop the stalk. I envision taking my finger and sliding it through this whipped confection as if frosting on the backside of a cake. Child-like joy bubbles up as I lick my finger, hoping no one has noticed!

As time passes, studying turns to gazing, then deepens to appreciation of the wonder before me. Nature creates art, beautifully detailed and fragile with these exotic-looking flowers. Pausing to sit and notice Spring’s generous gift summons feelings of open-heartedness. Tenderness arises as stillness enters, hand-in-hand with compassion. Now I see clearly, through the blue irises of my own eyes.

“Being a work of creation, Iris flowers remind us to focus on the precious moments and live by it. It’s message is, positivity is all around us. It is for us to strike the chords of faith and courage and see life from a fresh perspective.”

TheMindFool