NaPOWriMo2020: Day 11 – Flowers

Our optional prompt for the day is based on the concept of the language of flowers. Have you ever heard, for example, that yellow roses stand for friendship, white roses for innocence, and red roses for love? Well, there are as many potential meanings for flowers as there are flowers. The Victorians were particularly ga-ga for giving each other bouquets that were essentially decoder-rings of meaning. For today, I challenge you to write a poem in which one or more flowers take on specific meanings. And if you’re having trouble getting started, why not take a gander at this glossary of flower meanings? (You can find a plain-text version here). Feel free to make use of these existing meanings, or make up your own.

I like the ones that grow in the wild

In plenty and carefree, for all to see-

the traveler, the wanderer

the solitary walker and the nature lover

I like the ones that ask

for nothing in return

but make you pause and turn

The ones that ring in spring

and bring the birds and butterflies in-

the clear blue ones with a pale blue under

Speedwell they’re called and ‘Fare well’ they say

As you pass them on your way

The milk-white ones with faces turned to the sky

Purple spots at their tip like an eye

that say, “We’ll put you in a spot, if you don’t stop.”

I like the ones that stay past spring

And the ones that only bloom in the summer-

The pink rose angels that say, “it’ll soon be winter”

And the red Dead-nettle that warns “Don’t put me in a rage”

The ones that grow in whorls – the Mealy blue sage

And the purple Foxgloves that lower their head

and whisper, “Your majesty,” when you tread

And make me laugh at their insincerity

Its so hard to choose the one I like the most

The Baby blue eyes or the wild yellow Daffodil

The white Sweet Violets or the red brush Hazel

The deep purple wine cups, the yellow Celandine

Or the windflowers that grow on a carpet of green

Perhaps I like the Daisies and the Prim roses more

whose white petals flutter and make my spirit soar

-the sun in their center, they say, “Cheer up, cheer up”

I love them all- these flowers in the wild

But it’s the milky-white Snowdrop I like the best

That breaks through the snow when the world is at rest

A gift to Ulysses

From Hermes

The Messenger of God, the Bringer of Dreams

In the harsh winter snow; it gleams

And says “May your good memories stay and may the bitter ones fade.”

snowdrop

Today’s poetry resource is a twitter hashtag, #InternationalPoetryCircle. You’ll find tons of videos under this hashtag of poets all over the world reading individual poems. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, why not create your own video, and add it to the parade?

12 comments

Vineetha Mekkoth says:

April 11, 2020 at 23:04

Beautiful write! Yes, it’s the wild flowers that captures one’s attention without any to-do…

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1. Smitha V says:
  
  April 12, 2020 at 07:35
  
  Thank you so much Vineetha. I love wild flowers. They make me dream. Hope you are well.🙂
  
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  1. Vineetha Mekkoth says:
    
    April 12, 2020 at 09:34
    
    Yes, dear Smitha. Take care ❤️
    
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Preeti S. Manaktala says:

April 11, 2020 at 20:59

And I like all the ones you like … the wild ones and the summer flowers… very well written Smitha..

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1. Smitha V says:
  
  April 11, 2020 at 21:45
  
  Wild flowers are so pretty, aren’t they. Thank you so much for writing how you feel.🙂
  
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Abirbhav says:

April 11, 2020 at 19:38

Oh I so so love flowers..!! From the past two posts, I think you are somehow able to read my thoughts Madam.. 😛
Jokes apart, another beautiful poem.. Loved the description you have put forth for each of the species of flowers you have seen.. 😊
The cover page of my blog contains a flower (or inflorescence?).. Beautiful one I found in Berlin..!!
Thank you so much Madam for sharing.. 😊

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1. Smitha V says:
  
  April 11, 2020 at 21:47
  
  🙂me too! Maybe it’s the lockdown that’s the common connection. So glad you liked the poem. Wild flowers are so pretty. Thank you again for reading and writing back.
  
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  1. Abirbhav says:
    
    April 11, 2020 at 22:02
    
    You are most welcome Madam.. ☺️ It’s a pleasure reading your posts.. ☺️
    
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    1. Smitha V says:
      
      April 11, 2020 at 22:06
      
      Just read yours on your 10 day trip. Love the reference to the song ‘Its a whole new world.’ Perfectly describes your experience.
      
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      1. Abirbhav says:
        
        April 11, 2020 at 22:15
        
        Thank you so much Madam for taking the time out to read it.. 😊 Apologies for the long post. Loved your comment on it and glad you found it relatable enough to that song.. 😊
        
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      2. Smitha V says:
        
        April 11, 2020 at 22:19
        
        Please dont apologize. From the comments that others have written on the post, I believe I’m the only one with the problem :). But lovely post on the whole.🙂
        
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      3. Abirbhav says:
        
        April 11, 2020 at 22:21
        
        Thank you for the last line you said.. 😊😊 It made my day.. 😊
        
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