Waterlily - Byron Bay, Australia

Explored #67 20/4/09 - Thank you for your lovely comments and favs. x

 

Alongside a road leading to the beach there was a small channel of dark, stagnant water. There'd been a lot of rain in the preceding week. Out of this murky muck grew the most beautiful lilac-coloured lillies. I was also amazed at the number of different types of water birds in the area.

 

Many years ago I lost a baby during the 17th week of my pregnancy. During my grief I read a poignant poem written by one of Australia's most loved poets, Henry Lawson...

 

The Water-Lily

 

A lonely young wife

In her dreaming discerns

A lily-decked pool

With a border of ferns,

And a beautiful child,

With butterfly wings,

Trips down to the edge of the water and sings:

'Come, mamma! come!

'Quick! follow me-

'Step out on the leaves of the water-lily!'

 

And the lonely young wife,

Her heart beating wild,

Cries, 'Wait till I come,

'Till I reach you, my child!'

But the beautiful child

With the butterfly wings

Steps out on the leaves of the lily and sings:

'Come, mamma! come!''

'Quick! follow me!

'And step on the leaves of the water-lily!'

 

And the wife in her dreaming

Steps out on the stream,

But the lily leaves sink

And she wakes from her dream,

Ah, the waking is sad,

For the tears that it brings,

And she knows 'tis her dead baby's spirit that sings:

'Come, mamma! come!

'Quick! follow me!

Step out on the leaves of the water-lily!'

 

My beautiful Sarah Jean was born after this loss and I realised that I'd taken birth for granted and now saw it for the miracle that it was. :)

 

Done