Bedazzled By Sunflowers

I blame the Calendar Girls myself. In fact I very nearly wrote this blog a couple of Saturdays ago for the Calendars theme, but put it aside in favour of a spooky ecological sci-fi short story I had been writing (and which I hope you.ve read - linked here in case you missed it: Calendars Blog.)

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.

A field of sunflowers is a wonderful sight in itself, particularly on a blazing blue sky day, especially just after sunrise or towards sunset when the light and the colours combine to stunning effect (as above). But that's not enough for some folks, it seems. They need to get in among the plants and back to nature, only with a camera in hand or a photographer along to record the magic moment.

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!

Social media of course has made the craze quite popular and there are apparently thousands of images, many selfies, on platforms like Instagram and Tik-Tok. I've not checked them out as I don't subscribe to either platform. I suppose the fad is just a bit of fun, though it's clearly a headache for the farmers. I'm sure some images might bedazzle, though I can imagine the majority are fairly low on artistic composition and content.

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.

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!

                                                            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 ;-)