Beautiful “Bleeding Heart” Vines – Most Fitting Blooms for Key West’s “One Human Family”


The “Bleeding Heart” vines are blooming in Key West, and this bunch of glorious red flowers is a gorgeous show on Whalton Street. They made me think of the phrase ‘bleeding heart liberal,’ which while some think is negative, is in fact has a very positive and progressive definition. According to dictionary.com, it refers to those whom are “… open minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.”
This definition seems especially fitting for Key West’s diverse island community that prides itself on promoting personal expression, tolerance, freedom of action, and a liberal attitude toward foreigners with the official motto “One Human Family.” On an island only 2 miles by 4 miles, it’s amazing how divergent this “bleeding heart” community is.