often sing each to each
from beach and gondola
and also from pier and bay.
Water, they know, is essential to soul,
and no drop can exist removed and solo.
Like floral film-makers, they study p.o.v.,
framing, lighting and, in every arrangement, fragrance and hue.
What results is a visual sweetness.
Florists wait until the optimum moment to speak,
as if words were buds blessed in shades of crimson, saffron and blue.
From pool and bowl and vase they call,
vining and trailing over container and wall,
as simple as sparrows, and as mysterious as Anasazi.
________
for Hedge's challenge at Real Toads, featuring the art of Odilon Redon. At top, find his painting "Flowers."
I read this, delightedly lapping up the felicitous word-plays, rhymes and slant-rhymes and other writerly stuff, then I went back and re-read it, and found the import just as light and full of life, and even mysterious, the way the florists are speaking in color and scent, in a language which we see instead of hear. Thanks so much for playing on a work night, Shay. I couldn't be happier with this poem.
ReplyDeletePS. I really love his flower paintings--they are almost alive(and tx for one of my fave Stones songs, too.)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully crafted...giving a voice to the art of florists...my in-laws once owned a flower shop and I spent many hours trying to speak from water and glass.
ReplyDeleteeverything is arrangement..flowers
ReplyDeletewords, daily chores..aim is to be
visually pleasant...beautiful...
That is a painter I'm unfamiliar with, but it is a really cool painting. I'd like to see it close-up.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem, as always...
That final verse struck me as perfect! Anasazi as a byword for mysterious used here brilliwant.
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= <3
Love the voice of the florist, and I learned something. I'll admit to having to look up "Anasazi."
ReplyDeleteOf course they talk to each other in all these ways! And love your closing:
ReplyDeleteFrom pool and bowl and vase they call,
vining and trailing over container and wall,
as simple as sparrows, and as mysterious as Anasazi.
This poem is a change of pace for you and shows your versatility as a poet. It was definitely not a quick read for me, but one to savour for the full reading experience.
ReplyDeleteYou've made florists sound like very cool people! It's certainly an art, what to pair with what and I love the idea of pov.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. And, much the smartness.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize that florists were such a wordy bunch!!
ReplyDeleteHave a Kick Ass Week-End...G
An ode to Florists everywhere. I loved "as if words were buds blessed in shades of crimson, saffron and blue." That's great visual imagery and fits the picture to a tee!
ReplyDeleteWhile you know I'm not a poet expert, but I loved how this one was how it changed as I read it.
I liked "each to each" "beach to gondola" and pier and bay" You play with words so well.
I apologize for being so late in my visits. I've been caught in a project and it's delayed me getting out and calling on my friends. Have a great weekend, Shay!
This makes me want to tip toe through the fields with my easel and paint brushes! You do happy quite well… who knew ? (ha ha)
ReplyDelete