Sicilian Cyclamens (Flowers)
D.H. Lawrence's "Sicilian Cyclamen" is a poem that explores the beauty and symbolism of the Sicilian cyclamen flower. The poem describes the flower's delicate petals and vibrant colors, contrasting them with the harsh realities of life in Sicily during World War I. Through the use of imagery and metaphor, Lawrence conveys the idea that even in the midst of conflict and hardship, there is still beauty to be found. The poem also touches on themes of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of life.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1920 · Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Nature · 530 words
First lines
When he pushed his bush of black hair off his brow: When she lifted her mop from her eyes, and screwed it in a knob behind -- O act of fearful temerity! When they felt their foreheads bare, naked to heaven, their eyes revealed: When they felt the light of heaven brandished like a knife at their defenceless eyes, And the sea like a blade at their face, Mediterranean savages: When they came out, face-revealed, under heaven, from the shaggy undergrowth of their own hair For the first time, They saw tiny rose cyclamens between their toes, growing Where the slow toads sat brooding on the past.
What this Textopian page supports
Sicilian Cyclamens (Flowers) is listed on Textopian as a poem by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Nature
- Length: 530 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sicilian Cyclamens (Flowers) by D.H. Lawrence
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Sicilian Cyclamens (Flowers)?
- How does this poem by D.H. Lawrence fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fiction — D.H. Lawrence is known for his fictional works, therefore it is safe to infer that this title would also fall under the same genre.
- Literary Fiction — D.H. Lawrence's work is known for its literary value and deep, thought-provoking themes. The use of Sicilian Cyclamens (flowers) in the title could also suggest a rich use of symbolism, which is common in literary fiction.
- Nature — The mention of Sicilian Cyclamens, which are flowers, suggests the book might have a significant focus on nature or natural elements.
Tags
flowers · nature · botany · Sicily · poetry · symbolism · beauty · landscape · flora · art · impressionism · color