I,
for one,
am inclined
to believe
that fairies
hang up their thimbles
when a sunny day
seems as right for dreams
as a moonlit night
makes for idle hands.
I
would not
go so far
as to say,
because a
fairytale I love,
that there’s anything
but a name—and the
lore of bygone times—
in the name, foxglove.
From Wikipedia:
Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials commonly called foxgloves.
Many suggestions for the derivation of the name “foxglove” have been proffered:
… it seems quite probable that the shape of the flowers suggested the idea of a glove, and that associated with the name of the botanist Fuchs, who first gave it a botanical name, may have been easily corrupted into foxglove. It happens, moreover, the name foxglove is a very ancient one and exists in a list of plants as old as the time of Edward III. The “folks” of our ancestors were the fairies and nothing is more likely than that the pretty coloured bells of the plant would be designated “folksgloves,” afterwards, “foxglove.” In Wales it is declared to be a favourite lurking-place of the fairies, who are said to occasion a snapping sound when children, holding one end of the digitalis bell, suddenly strike the other on the hand to hear the clap of fairy thunder, with which the indignant fairy makes her escape from her injured retreat. In south of Scotland it is called “bloody fingers” more northward, “deadman’s bells” whilst in Wales it is known as “fairy-folks-fingers” or “lambs-tongue-leaves”.
©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back to bardessdmdenton. Thank you.
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Thank you, Caddo, for being inspired to write something so beautiful!
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I have not been keeping up at all, Diane, and am sorry for it, but I love the old tales. I just read Yeats collection of them and smiled all the way through, even when the tale was not really made for smiling. If I was a fairy I think the foxglove and your drawing of one would make for a day of hiding out and just a little bit of bite in my bark.
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Yes, a little fairy story here and there is so good for the spirit, I think. I missed your presence here, Thomas, but so understand how time interferes with keeping up with everyone’s blog. Blessings and love, Diane
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Totally charming…I love the information on the foxglove and they being the hideout of fairies. I have no doubt that they exist…and something tells me they can be a bit petulant.
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Thank you! I’m also sure fairies can have a little attitude! Why not? Good for them!
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Looks like a great lurking-place for fairies to me! Now I need to figure out why the ornamental pepper in my fairy garden died – maybe the fairies weren’t pleased with it being there… Love your poem and painting!
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Thanks, Barbara! Yes, I’m sure the fairies like to have their way!
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I love it…and the imagery of hanging “up their thimbles.” Beautiful words and artwork again!
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Thanks, Fergiemoto! Always love to see you here and read your comments.
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Would love to wear gloves sewn by fairies in the moonlight!
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Well, close your eyes and tap your heels and believe! Blessings, Rose!
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Foxgloves have always delighted and enchanted me, and you capture both their beauty in your picture, and their fascination in your poem.
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Yes, they are such an enchanting flower, aren’t they? Thank you so much and be well! Forgive the delay in my getting to your new posts … I always like to carve out some quiet, unhurried time for your reflections …I will be there very soon. XO Diane
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Wonderful, Dianne x
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Thank you, Martin!
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Beautiful words, Diane, and your painting is stunning…I love purple!
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Thanks, Lauren! Purple is a majestic and healing color, and so I can see why you are drawn to it. Blessings!
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I sure would hope those fairies take time to hang up their thimbles.
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I hope so too! Thanks for your visit, AJ.
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Lovely poem with sweet imagery and a pretty painting. 🙂 Thanks Diane.
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Thanks so much, Val, so glad you enjoyed it. Blessings!
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This is Wonderful, Diane–I love it!! And I enjoyed the added info–“deadman’s bells”, oooh, I may want to use that! God bless you today–have a great weekend! love, Caddo
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Thank you, Caddo! Yes, there were some interesting tidbits in the Wikipedia info that I didn’t know. Can’t wait to see what you ‘do’ with ‘deadman’s bells’! XO Diane
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