Sudden, the first iris of Spring
appears in my messy garden
(which I’ve allowed to turn to weed
mostly; I’m a victim of age,
reluctant now to bend and tug
to make their sly roots disengage).
At last, the long hard winter rains
are done. This bloom is a message:
‘Rejoice!’ And I do, when that blue
emerges, bright, from dull grey-green.
How the heart surges, to read
this promise that life does renew.
How the flower too must have surged
to be born, pushing its way through
the curtaining dirt to burst onstage
flaring, lighting both earth and page.
Over at dVerse, Laura Bloomsbury recently used the 'octameter' form, invented by Shelley A Cephas in 2007, as a 'Meeting the Bar' prompt.
I don't really have time these days to engage with other prompt sites (except for occasional forays into micropoetry in various facebook groups) but as I have set myself to experiment more with form this year – and the year is galloping past! – I sometimes go over there to have a peek, and then try something out.
I've decided to use this to respond to my own prompt for Friday Writings #141: Being Bound / Breaking Free at Poets and Storytellers United, on the grounds that it describes one kind of breaking free.
How the flower too must have surged / to be born ... there is something so incredible about a little seed pushing out through the dirt and flowering... it does feel like a promise of something bright and full of life...such a beautiful affirmation to start this otherwise dull morning! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful image and poem - how wonderful that such delicate forces of nature find a way to push through, to grow and prevail, to break free of the dirt and emerge victorious..here the plants are fading and the wind is blowing..glad for you it is turning into spring - Jae
ReplyDeleteOur winter was very brief, partly due to the fact that I live in the sub-tropics, and also due to climate change. A bit longer would have been nice; I suffer from pollen allergies in the warmer months – but the iris blooms are always a sure source of joy.
DeleteWe live in the same state yet our winter was the coldest wettest one in many years. Glad to see the back of it...Rall
DeleteOh, it was very wet here too! And cold. Just that all that was also brief.
DeleteThis is a nice write. I already have a note to try this form but not had chance to sit down to it yet.
ReplyDeleteI found it easier than I expected.
DeleteWhat a pretty attire to Nature you gave. Nice.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it.
DeleteBitter sweet for me - I love the arrival of spring but lament that my wife will not be seeing it. (I responded to your Qs on my post last week.)
ReplyDeleteThanks; I have gone back and answered. Perhaps there will come a time when you can, in a way, see it on her behalf (as well as your own) as I'm sure she would have wished for you. Though it might be too soon for that yet. I'm glad you can write the poems and also express the truths here; I think that's vital.
DeleteA gorgeous poem and these last 4 lines are stunning and passionate I am off to the daffodils in the weekend :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! And thank you for the kind words.
DeleteI'm reminded of different stages of flowering. A victim of age ... sometimes that's when we need to push through, too. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, very much so sometimes.
DeleteLove the poem and the form - i think i will try it myself. Life does renew and you have captured this
ReplyDeleteThank you. Have fun with the form; I did.
DeleteYes, flowers break free from seeds, shoots, and buds. Blue iris has always been a favorite of mine (not to slight my yellow one).
ReplyDeletePK
Oh, I have never seen a yellow iris, did not know there was such a thing. It must be very gorgeous too.
DeleteYour poem is gorgeous, a perfect octameter. I am just now emerging from a self-imposed summer hiatus and am so glad your poem is among the first several I've read.
ReplyDeleteThat's nice to know!
Delete'How the flower too must have surged
Deleteto be born, pushing its way through
the curtaining dirt to burst onstage'
Gorgeous poem, Rosemary!
I'm so glad it's been so appreciated!
Delete