PoetryPix
depictions by the rule of thirds; descriptions mostly freestyle words
the autumn hawkbit
because I was photographing trees
you gave me a wild flower
because we shared that graveyard moment
you brought me this
yellow as the ripened summer
weedy as dandelions
folklore food for hawk eyes
because of how the flower sucked up the sun
it showed the grim detachment of your proffered hand
kindling conversation by a tombstone den
amongst the oldest of London’s Christians*
because I am well-seasoned now
jaundiced thoughts were squashed like lice
against the backdrop of the old brick workhouse**
and still the poor and derelict are with us
because such moments are rare
and even common flowers fade
I captured your gesture forever
* One of the earliest Christian churches in England – St Pancras Old Church
** A public institution in which the destitute of the church parish received board and lodging in return for work – see St Pancras workhouse
A true tale in simple verse written for the Midweek Motif: “A flower was offered to me….”
and I guess a flower suitable for the imaginary garden
35 Comments on “the autumn hawkbit”
MY OTHER BLOG
Yes to be gifted with flowers is indeed rare – so much imagery and depth in this poem..i could almost visualise the graveyard moment..the poet walking today..feeling the stories and people who came before..i think many people are still stuck in workhouses – our heads..our houses..our thoughts..it takes an open mind to spot that one shining leaf…as perfectly demonstrated here
LikeLike
you have picked up the poetic ambience too – Shelley courted Mary Godwin here as she visited her mother’s grave (Wollstonecraft’s body moved later to St. Peter’s Churchyard, Bournemouth, England in 1851)
LikeLike
A beautiful poem. Is it possible to start it with the prompt words, without spoiling what you have?
LikeLike
good question – not right at the start but possible in first stanza as the second line
LikeLike
Give it a try…
LikeLike
“Because I was photographing trees
A flower was offered to me”
what do you/others think?
LikeLike
That would definitely work!
LikeLike
almost agree Mary but I like the more personal touch from the outset
LikeLike
I like both but I do agree the more personal version is my favorite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the choice of words… there is a sadness in the graveyard moment, but when set against the flower it becomes something so much more complex.
LikeLike
so true – the sunny yellow and the surprise gesture rose above the context
LikeLike
This is a beautifully devised poem. I love the way you have linked ideas together with the recurring lines and have woven the past into the descriptions.
LikeLike
many thanks Kerry – the recurring lines came to me from the outset and gave anchor to this floral reminiscence
LikeLike
luv the colour of yellow, that christian symbolic hope ray, and the yearning/nostalgia of the graveside moment
have a blessed Wednesday
much love…
LikeLike
no wonder you spotted the Christian thread – thank you Gillena
LikeLike
This is absolutely breathtaking…. especially love the close 🙂
LikeLike
a happy ending Sanaa 🙂
LikeLike
I love the introductory lines……….so evocative. I love “yellow as the ripened summer / weedy as dandelions / folklore food for hawk eyes” Very lovely writing, Laura.
LikeLike
and lovely comment – thank you Sherry
LikeLike
This is stunningly beautiful. I too love wandering around London particularly the east end where there is a plethora of Wren’s churches squeezed in tight by the modern city.
LikeLike
oh yes indeed – often am in the city amongst the guild halls and wren churches but rarely further east than Shoreditch. Old St Pancras is a frequent haunt and hence the encounter
LikeLike
How true that instant of hand offering flower–what the had reveals about the flower, what the flower reveals about the hand–the kindness despite-within-redeeming history. Wow.
LikeLike
the poet had a momentary pause as to motive etc and still stunned by the simple act of giving
LikeLike
Beautiful writing. I love your weave of the bright sunny flower with the tomb and the offering. It is a simple yet profound tale.
LikeLike
a juxtapose of life’s poetry in fact – thank you Myrna
LikeLike
I love the last stanza.
LikeLike
thank you Cayn – that one just flowed without much effort
LikeLike
“yellow as the ripened summer” beautiful! Agree with Myrna above.
LikeLike
that simile set the time and mood – appreciate you visit Margaret
LikeLike
a beautiful and richly textured poem with wonderful imagery…a sunny flower in tombstone moment make the poem so layered….
LikeLike
your prompt was just perfect Sumana – wondered if you think like Rosemary & Mary that I should have included the actual lines as above – I’m still thinking about it
LikeLike
packed with symbolism. The flower carries so much in her small heart.
LikeLike
packing a lot into a small space – thank you
LikeLike
I like your poem a lot, Laura, and I don’t mind you didn’t start the poem with the given line, as the meaning was there lines… Wonderful write.
LikeLike
thank you – the jury is still out on that one – can’t quite decide
LikeLike