Magnolia Sweet and Fresh

One of my favorite blooms to see & smell this time of year are those of the magnolia tree. Every time I see a magnolia tree, I get a little excited. The bright colors & intoxicating perfume just send me!

The flowers while beautiful and smile inducing also remind me of the song “Strange Fruit” written by Abel Meeropol & immortalized by Billie Holiday over 70 years ago.

“Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is the fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot for the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop”