Thursday, May 6, 2010

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

























Guess what's in bloom around here now? Poppys! Their bright, cheery color belies the fact that they are the stuff of dreams, because dreams are what they give us. Opium is almost as old as civilization itself, with evidence suggesting that Neanderthals may even have used it over thirty thousand years ago. It is probably the world's first anti-depressant, as it doesn't impair intellect or motor coordination. Opium was given to cranky, crying children way before Ritalin, marketed as "Street's Infants' Quietness", "Atkinson's Infants' Preservative", and "Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup", among other names. Insurance that children would be seen and not heard. Mary Shelley's idea for Frankenstein came from a waking opium dream, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem Kubla Kahn was inspired by an opium vision. Britain had become addicted to Laudanum, a mix of opium, alchohol, and distilled water. Sweet dreams were made of this, as the song goes. In the process of blooming, the poppy hangs it's head, even seeming to droop in sleep itself. The beautiful vision that brings vision to others. Indeed, the poppy is the symbol of Morpheus, the greek God of dreams, but that's a whole other story I'll post about later...


"The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Romans 13:11

8 comments:

Kilauea Poetry said...

This was a cool post- I think you wrapped it up rather nicely with that terrific verse! Man has interfered with everything! Seems many are safe with what ever poppys out of a lab, snicker snicker..Neanderthals, hmm..Well, it appears we have to learn a lot about pain along this journey?! There are only certain varieties that produce that euphoric sensation..are you sharing your harvest? Lol.. but all the poppies are pretty and these shots are sensational- every one Ginny!

DawnTreader said...

Clever title. I didn't recognize the flower at first, I think the ones I've seen here have fewer petals, not quite so fluffy-looking. They grow wild in the very south of Sweden but not around where I live.

Glennis said...

Fluffy red beauties. SO PRETTY SPECIALLY CLOSE UP.

MadSnapper said...

the dream would have to be in techicnicolor to compete with these flowers. they are so vibrant and alive and goregous. Paragoric had some opium in it, i used to give it to my son when he was a baby to calm the colic he was born with, since it was a drug, we had to sign for it to make sure we were not abusing it. seems most drugs do good and bad. it amazes me how many drugs come from this one beautiful flower and how mankind has found a way to abuse it.

RoeH said...

I love poppies. And those are so pretty.

Beverly said...

Those are lovely. You must point some out to me so that I can try to get some photos as good as yours!

Kilauea Poetry said...

Hi Ginny..I was worried my photo wouldn't go over to well (though we were told to be creative)? ha..anyway, I added a few critters..take a peek if you like (when you feel like) but you don't have to comment again. Anyway, hope you have a wonderful evening-

Dawning Inspiration said...

Oh Ginny - gorgeous! I love poppies! I can't wait for them to bloom here. Their frilly ruffles and bright colors - and the texture they have - so lively!

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