Life Is Full of Sweet Spots

“There are moments

when the elixir of life rises

to such over-brimming splendor

that the soul spills over.”

—Henry Miller

chalice filled with wine

therapeutic elixir

rimmed with sweet cream

*.  *.  *

With its artistic violet-purple throat surrounded by a creamy white outer rim, this showy bloom lives up to its Picasso Calla Lily name. Not actually a lily, but a modified leaf wrapped around a central spike, this native to Southern Africa species is said to be born from the spilled milk of the goddess Hera. While feeding the baby Hercules, she pushed him away, sending drops of milk across the sky, forming the Milky Way, and over the earth, blooming into lilies • Photo and “Spilled Milk” haiku by Mary O’Connor

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