The Patience of Spring: Lessons from Emerson’s May Day
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 1, 1867
On this day, Ralph Waldo Emerson, the sage of Concord, inscribed a copy of his book, May Day, to Sophie Thoreau, the devoted sister of Henry David Thoreau.
This gesture, a bridge between two of America's most influential literary families, speaks volumes about the interconnected world of 19th-century Transcendentalism.
May Day, a collection of Emerson's writing and poems, includes the evocative line, "Why chidest thou the tardy spring?" from his May Day poem. Let's savor a few more lines from this ode to spring's patient arrival:
Why chidest thou the tardy Spring?
The hardy bunting does not chide;
The blackbirds make the maples ring
With social cheer and jubilee;
The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee,
The robins know the melting snow;
Emerson's words paint a vivid picture of nature's unhurried awakening, reminding us that spring unfolds in its own time. The poet gently chides those who grow impatient, urging us to look to the birds and trees for lessons in patience and trust in nature's rhythms.
As gardeners, we can relate to this sentiment.
How often have we anxiously awaited the first buds of spring, only to be reminded that nature operates on its own schedule?
Emerson's poem is a gentle reminder to align ourselves with the natural world's pace, to find joy in the anticipation as much as in the arrival.
The story of this particular book doesn't end with Emerson's inscription. About a decade later, Sophie Thoreau gifted the book to her friend Mabel Loomis, adding another layer to its provenance. One can almost imagine these literary figures, bound by friendship and a love of nature, passing this book between them like a cherished talisman.
For those seeking a sentimental May gift or a unique present for a May birthday, consider hunting for an old copy of May Day by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's more than just a book; it's a piece of literary history, a connection to the great minds of the past, and a beautiful reminder of spring's eternal promise.
As we tend to our gardens this May, let's take a moment to channel Emerson's spirit.
Let's not chide the tardy spring, but rather embrace the rhythms of nature, finding beauty in each stage of growth and renewal. After all, as Emerson reminds us, spring has everything in hand - we need only to trust in nature's timing.
