“I brought you these.
Anemones. From the garden.
Better last year“
blanched
blank faced
gone with the wind
my sentences tap out
coded conversation
– then a flicker
of recognition
“Japanese”
“Comes up like thunder Outer china..”*
Kipling and plantswoman buried deep and accurate
Notes: Japanese anemones (A. hupehensis) are native to China but cultivated in Japan.
*see “Mandalay” by Kipling
On this 6th anniversary at dVerse am squeezing in 44 words for the Monday quadrille “Flicker“
PoetryPix 
I liked the “Better last year” line and the flicker of recognition of a person who is now apparently ill.
well spotted Frank – that was an accidental line that turned out just right
“my sentences tap out
coded conversation
– then a flicker
of recognition”
I especially love these lines!
ahh yes Lilian – speaking to the the elderly with memory loss is almost like sending morse code
Isn’t it strange and wonderful what brings a person up out of the fog of forgetfulness! Minimalist, ink brush strokes on rice paper, this poem.
loved this comparison Charley – thank you!
You are welcome!
After reading your comments I realized what I missed in that first read-through. Such a poignant moment, one I am so familiar with. It’s those tiny things that bring surprises, flickers of awareness.
it is a subtle reference Victoria – and touches tender spots
“blanched
blank faced
gone with the wind”—-This is so poignant. I have seen such a face in my life too. And it’s truly wonderful to gift such a person ‘a flicker of recognition’. A heartfelt poem Laura.
those flickers are all of that is left of connection p.s. ‘gone with the wind’ – anemones are also called windflowers
Love the disjointed nature of this piece. It adds to the dementia theme of your piece. Well done!
glad the disjointed staccato tempo came across as intended Bryan!
“my sentences tap out
coded conversation
– then a flicker
of recognition”
Beautifully poignant!
Thank you – the quadrille format fitted these sad encounters
Thank you for bringing us into the fog and then the flicker of recognition. Poignant.
Nice way of putting it 🙂
There and gone…there and gone…who knows what will flicker and when…well penned.
Thank you Paul – Guess consciousness is a flicker we can only hope has a regular current until switch off!
thunder Outer China.
I will remember that.
Kipling’s one liner describes these Chinese windflowers well 😉
Just gorgeous, Laura.
that made my day – thank you 🙂