They strike my eye anew; tall, purple foxgloves
fired up when the June day's sinking. Dark as Dis
those bold intruders, with a bearing that gives
my mundane heart a lightning bolt.  Such as this
that fuses glad to sad, shadowing old loves
with more sweet decaying thoughts. I'll never miss
these flowers though, for some sly seeds will soon lay
claim. Build spire on spire as heavenly display 
but when summer cloudbursts drench the trumpet line
they'll switch to gentian and cannily incline
each mouthpiece, till the bees return with sunshine

26 thoughts on “The heart of a beating flower”

1. As soon as I read the title, I knew I’d fall in love with your poem, Laura, and then I read : ’tall, purple foxgloves fired up when the June day’s sinking’ and fell. I especially love the phrase ‘shadowing old loves with more sweet decaying thoughts’.

   1. thank you for falling Kim – it is much appreciated!

      1. My pleasure, Laura!

2. So beautiful, Laura.

   1. Very heartening words Robin so thank you

3. I luv your foxgloves, described. I had to google it. They are lovely flowers

   much love

   1. thanks Gillena – yes you have much more exotic blooms but these I love

4. “such as this, that fuses glad to sad” – what a beautiful, beautiful phrase… the whole poem is beautiful

   I shouldn’t have read it before trying to write one !

   1. what high praise Kim – I am chuffed and blushed! I do hope this inspires you though to write something

      1. It does! But it will take some considerable thought. Maybe for an open link night. I’m just about to retire, so there will be more time for poetry!

         1. that’s good – more poetry time for you, Kim –

5. Foxgloves are described so thoroughly here! They are sly too- I have quite a few this year and didn’t plant a one.

   1. cunning as foxes – thank goodness for the surprise they give

6. I really enjoyed the imagery paired with your ryhme, I almost felt like the bee visiting the garden. Awesome poem and imaginative prompt! 🙏

   1. thank you for visiting the flowers ❤

7. I always think of Foxgloves both poisonous and medicinal nature but you have describes them in much more lyrical terms, Laura – thanks for the prompt…

   1. so many ways to look at a foxglove, Andrew – the other aspects are hinted at in the poem

8. Well done.

   1. many thanks

9. Lovely, dear Laura!

   1. thank you for those three lovely words

      1. ❤

10. Beautiful poem, Laura. I especially love this section:

    “…tall, purple foxgloves
    fired up when the June day’s sinking. Dark as Dis
    those bold intruders, with a bearing that gives
    my mundane heart a lightning bolt.”

    1. thanks for the gave picks

11. Wonderful description of those foxy foxgloves!

    1. thanks Sara – those purple spires are inspiring

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