PoetryPix
depictions by the rule of thirds; descriptions mostly freestyle words
there’s a wishing well
image source @hanginguptodry
Wishing is a well where want and will
bubble to the surface bobbing just beyond reach
but with disappointment dimmed and reasons silenced
up gushes a garden where yes! – the roses grow
amongst exhibitionist blooms of the fully saturated hue
crucified to courtyard walls, trees proffer fruit on sunbaked limbs
pastel borders, prettily composed, pale to significance
before the herbiary of aromas tumbling underfoot
deep green corners give shady contemplation
to fern and frond and leaf vein mandalas
from shallow overflows insects sip like cautious antelope
where wayward water courses provision wildlife
mown though a meadow, pathways beating the bounds to the brook
reeds wave me over to a kitschy wishing well
there I happily drown my sorrows
Akin to the old English proverb “if wishes were horses beggars would ride” which my grandmother would quote. It has the effect of quashing daydreams but preventing time wasting and the dashing of hopes…but still I pray for a garden of my own, even a much humbler one than this one conjured for Poetics: Wishful thinking
19 Comments on “there’s a wishing well”
Wonderful wordsmithing. I especially like ” trees proffer fruit on sunbaked limbs” and “from shallow overflows insects sip like cautious antelope”. What a beautiful garden to wish for!
LikeLike
so often wishing stirs discontent hence the proverb but your prompt encourages that horizon of optimism that we had as children – thank you – I enjoyed planting words in my imaginary garden
LikeLike
I adore the first stanza and how you take those disappointments into those lush garden fronds and leaves… a wonderful wish, almost like you own Eden… may your wish be granted.
LikeLike
still collective unconscious hankering after Eden maybe – but earthly garden will do – thank you for lovely comment – it was as hard to write as to wish
LikeLike
Ilove the same lines as Mish and also this: “pale to significance
before the herbiary of aromas tumbling underfoot”
LikeLike
thank you – nothing quite as lovely as a herb garden that overflows and is stepped on rather than confined to neat parterres
LikeLike
This is a wonderful poem. I love the last stanza and especially the first two lines, where you are drawn to the wishing well to drown your sorrows. may we all be so lucky as to be able to drown our sorrows.
LikeLike
seemed like a better place than a whisky bottle 😉
LikeLike
Yes indeed.
LikeLike
“disappointment dimmed and reasons silenced / up gushes a garden…. ” to me wish is exactly this…love the beautiful images radiant in the whole poem…
LikeLike
how we repress wishes as we age especially if dogged by disappointment so could only see a wish as an upgush – had to get all the lovely things out before reason switched off the flow – thank you for your appreciation Sumana
LikeLike
Love the flow of this and the words you choose so well. Especially enjoyed the ending.
LikeLike
thanks Susan – a roundabout to positive ending
LikeLike
Splendid word artistry and great turns of phrase!
LikeLike
a little belated but many thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
And now I wish for your glorious garden too!
LikeLike
maybe we can share it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
the anguish – of imagining a future – without a garden. I feel your pain, and that’s not ‘just words’.
LikeLike
thank you Diana – you of all gardeners would understand what this means!
LikeLike