Friday 30 October 2009

The Secret of Eternal Youth

In China there is a legendary river
in the Sweet Valley (Amaya no Kikusui)
which flows with the essence of chrysanthemum dew
and those who drink from the river never grow old.

I love the image of Li Qing Zhao (1084-ca. 1151),
one of the early female Chinese poets,
moistening chrysanthemum-patterned brocade
with the dew from chrysanthemum flowers
and rubbing her face with it
to smooth away the wrinkles.

I must confess that I do not love chrysanthemums
but even as I turn away from the gaudy colours
and acrid smell of the cut stems
I know that they are the last flowers of the year
and I must now wait patiently until Spring.

As Matsuo Basho (1644-94) wrote

After the chrysanthemum
there is only the radish
.

(Thank goodness that radishes are
Not the Secret of Eternal Youth.
Bathing your face in radish dew
does not have quite the same appeal.)

15 comments:

  1. .....first stop is the supermarket tomorrow...to buy every raddish in store...now do we eat or apply ?

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  2. Just a beautiful post, plain and simple!

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  3. Not a chrysanthemum fan here either, but your photo might change my mind - beautiful!

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  4. I'm not sure I would want eternal youth. It makes me tired just to think about it. I rather like that last picture of the embroidered chrysanthemum though.

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  5. Where do you get your ideas from? Just wonderful

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  6. Chrysanths are about the only flower I don't grow..... (hence the wrinkled visage???):O)

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  7. Bet that would tighten the skin!

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  8. Your chrysanthemum/radish saying made me laugh Alice. It has begetable realism and I suppose says'face up to winter'. I question it though. What about:

    Viburnum
    Daphne
    Winter sweet
    Amaryllis
    Aconite

    Visit the winter garden at Anglesey Abbey. I'll come with you.

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  9. http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/562485788YHfNGA

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  10. Not sure how relevant all of this is as MrsM is perpetually 21 - the result of being a child bride. It will become more difficult to sustain this once MasterM and MissM surpass that age themselves

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  11. Isn't he lovely? Or is he just worried that you might go out and buy Creme de la Mer instead of chrysanthemums? (I hope he is not being sarcastic - I can't see his face so it is difficult to tell.)

    Pomona x

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  12. Oh I don't know Mr.M, despite celebrating an 'ahemtieth' birthday last December my mother has stayed a vibrant and youthful 25 regardless of the advancing years of her children!

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  13. Do you not have Christmas cacti in England? Ours is just coming into its first blooms right now -- and is looking like it's going to be stunningly beautiful this year. Of course, it's inside, not out, but still, blooms.

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  14. Radish dew? Really? I'll just choose to age gracefully.

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  15. Can I hug MrM for being so infinitely sweet and a true English gentleman. Please allow me.
    Also, where do you get these wonderful gems?
    I am learning so much from you. Thanks.
    Paola

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Thank you! I love reading your comments and even though I don't always have time to reply I am really grateful to every one who joins in the conversation.