Entering the silence of iris

Irises are in full bloom now; delicate petals in myriad colors, their gentle scent. This deep red is one of my favorites.

~~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~

Since Iris is the Greek goddess for the Messenger of Love, her sacred flower is considered the symbol of communication and messages. Greek men would often plant an iris on the graves of their beloved women as a tribute to the goddess Iris, whose duty it was to take the souls of women to the Elysian fields.

~ Hana No Monogatari: The Stories of Flowers

All artists dream of a silence which they must enter, as some creatures return to the sea to spawn.
~ Iris Murdoch