Sonnet to the Her: Queen Anne’s Lace
When our family lived on a military base in Siberian woodland, surrounded wildflowers and woodland trees were everything for me. I made my dolls from pinecones and sticks and dolls’ houses from moss. I bundled together dried sagebrush to create a broom and swept around our wooden log house. Soon I learned to recognize most of the wildflowers as my mom organized our family of four to gather them, dry and then add to our teas during long Siberian winters. In spring she gently picked young dandelion and birch leaves and added them to salads. She would always bring a few grasses and a flower to make a simple, but most elegant bouquets.
Wildflowers were an important part of our life and the source of true beauty. Eventually, as I had become a full-time artist my deepest connection with them led me to paint them as my primary subject matter.
I always feel I am one of them.
Inevitably, as the Michigan countryside is filled with remarkable Queen Anne’s Lace wildflower, it has become the center of my Wildflowers Art Collection. It is believed that this flower symbolizes safety, sanctuary, and refuge.
And what about you?
When you hear “Queen Anne’s Lace” what immediately comes to your mind?
What words, what images, and associations?
To me, this most delicate lace-like wildflower is associated with a woman.
With what a woman is all about.
She is a survivor.
She stands tall despite the weather and the surrounding conditions. Strong winds and racing vehicles along the country roads do not break her. She bends a bit and then raises above gently fluffing her hair back and holding her head up. At times she quietly cries, prays, then reminds herself of the life responsibilities and she looks up to the skies. And she sees the Light.
She is a role model.
She generously showers her beloved ones with a gentle, loving and encouraging smile. Her kids and
grandkids learn from her how to create their own happiness. With their own hands.
She does not grow old.
Her grey hair is beautiful. Always. Her wrinkles are reflections of her happy smiles. They are indeed.
She blesses the world with beauty, kindness, and generosity.
She is the Queen. And she is beautiful. Yes, you are.
Remember it. Always.
