The "Wistful Fragrance of Violets"

 "Describe to me scientifically the haunting wistful fragrance of a bunch of violets." -From the film, "A Man Called Peter"

Sometimes a breeze catches the scent of the violets in spring, but the delicate aroma is more apparent when there is a cup full of the pretty blossoms. The violet has a delicate sweet scent. To make a violet perfume, do a web search for recipes.  It is hard to find violet perfumes.

Gather a handful of the blossoms and take a breath. They smell like a confection.

The Violet

by Jane Taylor

 

Down in a green and shady bed,

A modest violet grew;

Its stalk was bent, it hung its head

As if to hide from view.

And yet it was a lovely flower,

Its colour bright and fair;

It might have graced a rosy bower,

Instead of hiding there.

 

Yet thus it was content to bloom,

In modest tints arrayed;

And there diffused a sweet perfume,

Within the silent shade.

 

Then let me to the valley go

This pretty flower to see;

That I may also learn to grow

In sweet humility.

 

 

 

Violets

By L. Young Correthers

from “These Blooming Rascals”

 

Violets can be devastating

When they look up at you with faces sweet

Breathing sheer poetry into the air

Making spring and life and love complete

But they also can be exasperating

And I’ll tell you why and when and where.

Treat them too well—they run to leaf--

Neglect them—then they come to grief

But whatever you do—under the ground

They send tough rootstocks round and round

Until plants nearby are choked and bound.

Yes—violets charm with their artlessness

But underneath—they’re a perfect mess.