LADY’S SLIPPER

Carman, Bliss, (1861-1929)

Who passed this way and left this trace 
Of beauty in so wild a place,

To stir our souls with marveling 
At so incredible a thing?

Who sent this living miracle 
In the deep Northern woods to dwell,

Where only hermit thrushes come 
And the shy brown bear makes his home?

Whence was the inspiration caught? 
Whose was the sudden happy thought?

Or whose the impulse thus to bless 
The rough untrodden wilderness?

Deep in our hearts glad tidings say, 
Beauty herself came by this way,

And with a wisdom older far 
Than alphabet or calendar,

Cast off her sandal as she sped 
Lest we should miss the way she fled.

And so forever we pursue 
The shadowy trail of Beauty's shoe,

And for her sake must leave behind 
Riches and rest and peace of mind,

To follow on that shining trace, 
With beating heart and breathless pace.

By darkling wood and haunted stream, 
Still lured by the enchanting gleam,

Wherever the long way may lead, 
To keep the trail is all our need.

On simple fare, in poor attire, 
Torn and waylaid by flint and briar,

With the lone dawn upon the height 
Or the great desert stars by night,

Through burning sun and blinding snow 
Untiring and content we go,

If only so we may behold 
Dear Beauty's self ere we are old.

I've been trying to get out and walk on 
the days I feel well enough. Yesterday 
as I walked I spotted these lovely lady 
slippers. When I lived in Louisiana I 
had a greenhouse full of over 300 orchids 
and Lady slippers were certainly among 
my favorites.  Chris (between 5 and 10 then) called 
them the saxophone  orchids because of the shape of 
their blooms. Unfortunately, these walks are exactly 
what's making me feel worse as I caught the weather 
report this morning and noticed that mold is through 
the roof. Mold  is one of the worst offenders where 
my allergies are concerned so I'll not be venturing 
outside at all until I'm feeling a great deal 
better indeed. 

Meanwhile, I managed to finish the first 
web sock out  of the luscious purple koigu. 
The more I knit with  this colorway the 
more I enjoy it. I'd love to do an  entire 
sweater out of the stuff. Hey Debbi, can you 
dye some yarn these colors for me?