Why are violets blue?

Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 12 March 2024
Photo by Skyler Ewing on Pexels.com
When we were growing up
discovering the power of love,
these nursery rhymes
were so sublime
we used to find
every Valentine's
without knowing why
"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet.
So are you.
And I love you!"
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Red means love
but what about blue
that has become violet too?
Late have I known
as a chaplain to kids
and grown ups too
when I Googled that
violets mean simplicity,
humility and modesty
that to give a violet
close to blue is to say
"I love you too!"
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In this blessed season of Lent
when everything is violet
a shade akin to blue
to keep things subdued
as we try to imbue
virtues and values
of repentance and
contrition for sins,
of patience and perseverance,
of sacrifice and alms-giving
that lead to a sharing of self in love
like Jesus Christ did a long time ago.
True,
violets are blue,
hue of God's mercy
for me and you;
as we go through
this journey in Lent
hear my plea to you,
Jesus:
"Roses are red,
violets are blue;
let your Lent come true
because I love you too!"
Amen.
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