NaPOWriMo2020: Day 11 – Flowers

Creative Writing, Poetry 12 comments

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.

flower-meadow-1510602_960_720

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 make you 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 look like an eye
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
Making 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 or 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 the spirit soar
With 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

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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

  3. 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.. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

          1. 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.. 😊

            Liked by 1 person

          2. 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.🙂

            Liked by 1 person

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