'The Flowers' by Rudyard Kipling


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To our private taste, there is always something a little exotic,
almost artificial, in songs which, under an English aspect and dress,
are yet so manifestly the product of other skies.They affect us
like translations; the very fauna and flora are alien, remote;
the dog's-tooth violet is but an ill substitute for the rathe primrose,
nor can we ever believe that the wood-robin sings as sweetly in April
as the English thrush. -- THE ATHEN]AEUM.



Buy my English posies!
Kent and Surrey may --
Violets of the Undercliff
Wet with Channel spray;
Cowslips from a Devon combe --
Midland furze afire --
Buy my English posies
And I'll sell your heart's desire!

Buy my English posies!
You that scorn the May,
Won't you greet a friend from home
Half the world away?
Green against the draggled drift,
Faint and frail and first --
Buy my Northern blood-root
And I'll know where you were nursed:
Robin down the logging-road whistles, "Come to me!"
Spring has found the maple-grove, the sap is running free;
All the winds of Canada call the ploughing-rain.
Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again!

Buy my English posies!
Here's to match your need --
Buy a tuft of royal heath,
Buy a bunch of weed
White as sand of Muysenberg
Spun before the gale --
Buy my heath and lilies
And I'll tell you whence you hail!
Under hot Constantia broad the vineyards lie --
Throned and thorned the aching berg props the speckless sky --
Slow below the Wynberg firs trails the tilted wain --
Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again!

Buy my English posies!
You that will not turn --
Buy my hot-wood clematis,
Buy a frond o' fern
Gathered where the Erskine leaps
Down the road to Lorne --
Buy my Christmas creeper
And I'll say where you were born!
West away from Melbourne dust holidays begin --
They that mock at Paradise woo at Cora Lynn --
Through the great South Otway gums sings the great South Main --
Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again!

Buy my English posies!
Here's your choice unsold!
Buy a blood-red myrtle-bloom,
Buy the kowhai's gold
Flung for gift on Taupo's face,
Sign that spring is come --
Buy my clinging myrtle
And I'll give you back your home!
Broom behind the windy town; pollen o' the pine --
Bell-bird in the leafy deep where the ~ratas~ twine --
Fern above the saddle-bow, flax upon the plain --
Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again!

Buy my English posies!
Ye that have your own
Buy them for a brother's sake
Overseas, alone.
Weed ye trample underfoot
Floods his heart abrim --
Bird ye never heeded,
Oh, she calls his dead to him!
Far and far our homes are set round the Seven Seas;
Woe for us if we forget, we that hold by these!
Unto each his mother-beach, bloom and bird and land --
Masters of the Seven Seas, oh, love and understand.


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Flowers by Rudyard Kipling: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Imagination

Oh my, where do I even begin with Rudyard Kipling's "The Flowers"? This poem is a true masterpiece of symbolism and imagination, a work of art that captures the essence of human life and nature with stunning clarity and depth. From the opening lines to the final stanza, Kipling conjures up a world of beauty, wonder, and meaning, using the language of flowers to explore the complexities of human emotions and experiences.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will take you on a journey through the world of "The Flowers", analyzing its themes, symbols, and imagery, and exploring the ways in which Kipling uses language and meter to convey his message. Get ready to be amazed, because this poem is nothing short of a revelation.

Themes and Symbols

At its core, "The Flowers" is a poem about the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, a theme that Kipling explores through the use of flowers as symbols of human existence. Each flower in the poem represents a different stage of life, from the innocence and purity of the lily to the passion and intensity of the rose, to the acceptance and resignation of the poppy. Together, these flowers form a tapestry of human experience, a portrait of the joys and sorrows that we all go through in our journey through life.

But "The Flowers" is not just a poem about the human condition. It is also a meditation on the beauty and power of nature, and the ways in which the natural world can teach us about ourselves and our place in the universe. Through his descriptions of the flowers, Kipling explores the mysteries of nature and the ways in which it can inspire us and fill us with wonder and awe.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of transience and impermanence, the notion that nothing in this world lasts forever. This theme is embodied by the withering and fading of the flowers, which reminds us of the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death. Yet, at the same time, the poem suggests that there is something eternal and timeless about the natural world, something that transcends human suffering and mortality.

Imagery and Language

One of the most striking aspects of "The Flowers" is its use of vivid and evocative imagery, which brings the natural world to life in all its glory and beauty. Kipling's descriptions of the flowers are so rich and detailed that we can almost smell their fragrance and feel their delicate petals in our hands. This imagery serves to heighten the emotional impact of the poem, as we are drawn into the world of the flowers and the emotions they represent.

The language of the poem is also noteworthy, as Kipling uses a variety of poetic devices to create rhythm, rhyme, and sound effects that enhance the meaning and impact of the words. For example, the repeated use of the phrase "O flowers" creates a sense of urgency and import, as if the speaker is imploring the flowers to reveal their secrets. The use of alliteration and assonance also serve to create a musicality and flow to the poem, drawing the reader in and holding their attention.

Another aspect of the language in the poem is the way in which Kipling uses repetition and variation to explore different facets of the flowers and their symbolism. For example, he repeats the phrase "in the garden" several times, each time with a slightly different emphasis, creating a sense of movement and progression as we follow the speaker through the garden of life. Similarly, the repeated use of the phrase "the poppies flame and die" creates a sense of inevitability and finality, as if the speaker is reminding us of our own mortality.

Interpretation

So what does it all mean? What is Kipling trying to tell us with this beautiful and enigmatic poem? There are many possible interpretations, of course, but here are a few that I find particularly compelling.

One interpretation is that "The Flowers" is a meditation on the importance of living in the present moment, of savoring the beauty and wonder of life while we can. The fading and dying of the flowers serves as a reminder that nothing in this world lasts forever, and that we should appreciate the joys and sorrows of life while we have them.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a celebration of the eternal and transcendent qualities of nature, and the ways in which it can inspire and uplift us. By using flowers as symbols of human experience, Kipling suggests that there is something timeless and universal about the human condition, something that is connected to the natural world and its cycles of birth, growth, and decay.

Finally, "The Flowers" can be seen as a tribute to the power of imagination and creativity, and the ways in which they can transform the world around us. By using language to evoke the beauty and complexity of the flowers, Kipling creates a work of art that is itself a kind of flower, a thing of beauty that can inspire and move us in profound ways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling's "The Flowers" is a true masterpiece of poetry, a work of art that captures the complexities and mysteries of human life and nature with stunning clarity and depth. Through its use of symbolism, imagery, and language, the poem explores themes of life and death, nature and transcendence, and the power of imagination and creativity. Whether read as a meditation on the importance of living in the present moment, a celebration of the eternal and transcendent qualities of nature, or a tribute to the power of art and imagination, "The Flowers" is a work of great beauty and significance, and one that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Flowers by Rudyard Kipling is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the beauty of nature. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this timeless poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a field of flowers. The flowers are described as being "red and gold and white," and they are said to be "dancing in the breeze." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and a sense of movement and life.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the fleeting nature of life. He notes that the flowers are "born to die," and that they will soon be "scattered on the ground." This is a powerful reminder that life is short and that we must cherish every moment that we have.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker describes how the flowers will be "trodden underfoot" and "forgotten." This is a stark reminder that even the most beautiful things in life are temporary and that we must appreciate them while we can.

The third stanza of the poem takes a more philosophical turn. The speaker reflects on the idea that everything in life is connected. He notes that the flowers are "part of the earth," and that they will eventually return to the soil. This is a powerful reminder that we are all connected to each other and to the world around us.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most emotional. The speaker reflects on the idea that even though the flowers will die, they will still be remembered. He notes that they will be "remembered in the song" and that they will "live on in the hearts of men." This is a powerful reminder that even though we may die, our memories and our impact on the world can live on.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker urges us to "plant our own gardens" and to "decorate our own souls." This is a powerful reminder that we have the power to create beauty in our own lives and in the lives of others. We must take responsibility for our own happiness and for the happiness of those around us.

Overall, The Flowers by Rudyard Kipling is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the beauty of nature. It is a reminder that life is short and that we must cherish every moment that we have. It is also a call to action, urging us to create beauty in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. This timeless poem will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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