Yesterday, a spontaneous, unplanned unscheduled walk. I was showing my sister the location of a nest of baby black snakes in our flowers. She wanted to show me some wild azaleas up the road–at least we’re calling them wild azaleas–
And because it was a nice day, and because we could, we followed our noses…. followed a windy path through the woods. A path we hadn’t noticed before. Off to the left, down into a ravine. Into a realm FULL of amazing patches of trillium. Dozens and dozens of trilliums. 
Trilliums in their own little colonies, and trilliums nestled into mayapple villages.
It’s hard to explain. The wonder of it all. Their quiet, simple elegant beauty. And most of all, their color.
On our return home, we veered off into an old mountain cemetery that’s located just across the way from our house. 
A narrow span of woods and a blacktop road separate our house from the cemetery. Still, looking out the kitchen window in winter–pre-foilage– it’s possible to catch glimpses of red from the flags that fly there. It’s an old cemetery. Old. Personal. Down-to-it. Some of the stones are just that–stones. 
Some of the markers are cast from concrete and imbellished with stones and shells.
Some markers have inscriptions and tell stories. Like the fellow that died in the Gulf of Mexico in mid 1800’s. And this one– 
A colonel in the confederacy. 30 years old at his death in 1864. And on the stone, information that it was
erected by his nephew who drowned in the Snake River in Idaho in 1890.
At the far end of the cemetery, a small platform has been erected. A viewing platform the looks out into the woods. 
To the casual observer, there are only trees here. But beneath the trees and under the leaves are more stones. Rocks and stones scattered everywhere. 
following thread 
The trillium are incredibly wonderful this year at our house too as are the may apples. I would love to take a walk to the cemetery with you.
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let’s do it
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this Earth holds so much, doesn’t she. Souls and baby snakes, endless generations of
trilliums
beauty full walk you shared. T hank you
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yes–the holding of the earth. the secrets and stories–all of it–and we just need to listen
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ah the thrill of Trilliums, such a beautiful word, have never seen one in real life, there are some things that tempt me to try living for a year in a cool climate ie. Peonies, Snakeshead Fritillaria, Blue Tibetan Poppies & Trilliums!
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where i grew up, trilliums covered the forest floor. Covered it.
and Peonies. Peonies. yes. no Peonies here in New Mex either.
University of Michigan has a grand Peony Garden in the Arboretum.
Stunning.
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there are some peonies here in this yard–getting ready to bloom. some people in these hills–and especially in WV–call them pie-knees. (that’s what i imagine the phonetic spelling would be) and i remember the first one i ever saw. 8th grade school teacher had one on top of the piano in her room. mind-blowing.
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it was a thrill. once i saw some in upstate NY, but never in the mountains of WV. and never before here in NC. and there were so many–so so many. it was almost too much.
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