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By Veronica_Milvus
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24 July 2008 |
There are roses and delphiniums and all the showy flowers that need careful attention. And there are these spiny buggers that ask for nothing at all, and are lucky to be admired.
MAHONIA JAPONICA
Such spiny, tough rosettes
like scythes on chariot wheels
state plainly "touch me not".
A cocks' comb of new leaves
unfurled, bronze, in the sun,
is all my summer wealth.
When other leaves are dead
leaving naked branches
I keep my dark green clothes.
In winter time, when ice
freezes weaker blossoms
my sap flows into flowers.
A yellow inflorescence,
midsummer in December,
attracts the grateful bees.
And after every downpour
when other leaves are battered
I trap the sparkling rain.
Water, turned to crystal,
baubles on green lacquer
glistening like jewels.
I keep the gardener's interest
in every season, giving
in adversity my best.
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Superb!
Written by Katanga (1537 comments posted) 24th July 2008 | Great Vron - thoroughly enjoyed!
Did you coin 'inflorescence' or do I suffer from a limited vocabulary? A very rich word, whichever!
'Spiny buggers' Waaaaah! That's worth a poem in itself!
Cheers!
John |
Written by Brett (1001 comments posted) 24th July 2008 | 'like scythes on chariot wheels' - great line.
I sense a metaphor within these accurate and descriptive stanzas.
Tolstoy - 'inflorescence' is the entire flower-head of a plant. I agree - lovely word.
The stanza that employs the above word seems so simple - yet there is great weight in its simplicity.
Once more you shine, V.
Great
Cheers | Spiny buggers
Written by Veronica_Milvus (768 comments posted) 24th July 2008 | I remember a Harry Enfield sketch about badgers where he called them "yon stripey beggers" and I went into giggles for several minutes.
Infloresecence is indeed a word, but Brett has defined it better than I would have been able to. I just thought it meant "flowery bits".
A metaphor, Brett - surely not? Elucidate! |
Written by Brett (1001 comments posted) 24th July 2008 | No metaphor? Then I shall not elucidate.
I like your use of 'flowery bits' in your above reply - would have been a nice prologue.
Cheers |
Written by Robru (272 comments posted) 24th July 2008 | | Wonderful Veronica, just wonderful. You must have been in our rose garden out the front. One 'spiny bugger' has flowered right through the frosts. All the rest are sticks. |
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