the leopards in the tangled garden know it;
they stalk and strut and do as they will--
respectful of the nasturtium,
but careless of the quiet jonquil.
I am someone with just one desire--
the crows in the glassless greenhouse know it;
they pose, clothed black as priests entire--
denying me the morning glory,
but free with the thorns my rose requires.
_______
Nasturtiums--victory in battle
Jonquils--returned affection, sympathy
Morning Glory--love, affection, mortality
Red Roses--deep romantic love, passion
That closing is breathtaking!
ReplyDelete"I am someone with just one desire".......love the crows, "clothed black as priests" and "free with the thorns my rose requires". Wow.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love the language of flowers--beautifully used here, interwoven with the warrior leopards and priestly crows. Every thorn has its rose, I like to think, and this poem might fall in that category.
ReplyDeleteI love the inclusion, intrusion of the animals in this garden: both killers, one with sleek efficiency, the others nasty and opportunistic, and yet each has an impact on this girl. Your use of flowers for their meanings added an intriguing layer of meaning to the piece.
ReplyDeletePS: Sorry I went all Chinese on you again.
"...clothed black as priests entire" is a gem of a phrase.
ReplyDeleteI've had a book on my "to read" list called The Language of Flowers. This poem makes me look forward to it even more!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Fantastic. The ending is my favorite:
ReplyDelete"denying me the morning glory,
but free with the thorns my rose requires"
Such intense pain.
I loved the imagery and the use of the flowers as replacements for the true meanings. One can take this poem literally or look deeper for the other meaning. Loved this piece.
ReplyDeletethe crows! ... priests and black and this garden of significant life. ...
ReplyDeletea potent place, i feel this trailing after the speaker like a cloak.
You have such depth to your writing. I always have to go back and re-read, and I'm always more impressed the second time around.
ReplyDeleteI love this, especially the second stanza--and I have to agree with what others have said--there is much depth to this piece--
ReplyDeleteGreat images, deep symbols and beautiful, skillful language. I just love the sound of, 'they pose, clothed black as priests entire--' Oh, and thanks for the flower meanings after too!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. I loved its sound on the first read, and then read it again after reading the flower symbolism -- and loved it even more. THanks for providing that piece.
ReplyDeleteSuch liberating as well as liberated usage of words and metaphors. Enviably freeflowing.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see Ms Coal continues to write, somewhere. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteK
Lovely - I'm not sure one needs the definitions of the flowers - the associations are there even without the specificity I think - especially at the close. k.
ReplyDeletei love the extra layer of meaning with the flowers and i love... well, everything! another brilliant poem, SP!
ReplyDelete♥
Part of a rose's beauty are her thorns... I guess it makes one keep a distance, or makes one be very, very careful.
ReplyDeleteSeems unfair to be treated thus in such a lush and edible garden. How seductive the scents, how unfair the thorn without the prize.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers speak...a beautiful piece
ReplyDelete.. 'clothed black as priests entire--
ReplyDeletedenying me the morning glory' ~~ as a priest might deny Holy Communion.
nasturtiums = victory in battle? who knew? hmmmmm.
ReplyDelete