It seems that ever since that Calendar Girls calendar (and the film and stage play that have provided extended exposure), some people (not me, I'm just reporting here) have become bedazzled by sunflowers, great fields of them, and by photographing themselves among the flowers in a state of semi-undress.
It's become quite a thing on a world-wide scale apparently. So much so that many farms and nurseries (including those Pick-Your-Own places) have started issuing warnings and posting forbidding notices about customers removing their clothes or trespassers going starkers in the fields in search of sexy poses with the produce.
One farm in Hayling Island even had recourse to the national press in an attempt to stem the practice, though I'm sure the publicity was very good for business: "We keep reminding customers that this is a public place. Please do not lose your modesty while admiring or picking the sunflowers.
"We are open to family’s (sic) which means during this time we have to conduct the site in a manner which is appropriate to all. It is a shame that the fun of taking risky photos is being challenged by blatant nudity in the family field!"
There have been reports of children and some adults being bedazzled by what they've seen among the flowers!
For that, professional models and proper shoots are required, and clearly there is a market for those as well, as the number and variety of sunflower calendars on sale around the world attests. And they don't just feature girlies. At least one enterprising North American calendar manufacturer has seen fit, in this age of equality, to provide his and her options.
I just think of all those hairy, prickly stems and scratchy leaves, the insects and the hay fever. 😙
Unfortunately, I've been too busy to pen a new poem this week, but I think this one from the Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852) fits the bill.
Unfortunately, I've been too busy to pen a new poem this week, but I think this one from the Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852) fits the bill.
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
I.
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,—
Thou wouldst still be ador'd as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will;
And, around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still!
II.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofan'd by a tear,
That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear!
Oh! the heart, that has truly lov'd, never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close;
As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turn'd when he rose!
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,—
Thou wouldst still be ador'd as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will;
And, around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still!
II.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofan'd by a tear,
That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear!
Oh! the heart, that has truly lov'd, never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close;
As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turn'd when he rose!
Thomas Moore (1808)
I'll leave you with one last bedazzling image, of this coy mistress and her lovely sunflowers. It's just as well it's too early in the growing season, else I'm sure you'd all be googling where your nearest sunflower farm might be.
Thanks as ever for reading my musings, S ;-)
12 comments:
As entertaining as ever. Lots of sunflower fields near me, though not even to knee height yet!
I remember that scene from Everything Is Illuminated of the vast field of sunflowers in Ukraine and that little house in the middle of them.
Ha ha, hee hee, very good.
We have a big sunflower festival about an hour south of Brisbane, place called Kalbar, and it's happening next week. I might go. I don't expect any nudity though. 🙂
Sunflowers were my mum's favourite flower, though I'd like to think it was nothing to do with Calendar Girls.
Ha ha. Excellent blog. We once stopped on the road home from Filey to photograph my then little girl running through a field of poppies. She was wearing a yellow teeshirt and red pedal pushers. It is a memory that I treasure. Thanks for the trigger Steve.
I do like the cut of that young fellow's jib.
And now, apparently naked gardening has it's own day of the year. Lucky I just missed it.
Actually, I'm not that bedazzled by sunflowers.
Agreed about the hay fever problem.
Just read about a nude poetry workshop at Bournemouth Writing Festival. Appalling thought.
While I love sunflowers and really enjoyed Calendar Girls (on screen and stage), I've never been remotely tempted to get my kit off in a field of flowers, never mind taking a photo of myself in deshabille. As you say, the prickles, the insects etc.
Very good Steve. Sunflowers are glorious. I quite like the Thomas Moore poem, fits the theme well.
I expect this turned a few heads. I never realised it was a thing, getting photographed among sunflowers.
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