Monday, July 7, 2014

Flowers Galore--By Jean Calkins--United States

Flowers Galore

White lilies standing six feet tall;
roses, doubled, pink, enthrall;
   morning glories, trellis high;
   chameleon plants that do not lie,
but stand upright, with tiny blooms;
hydrangeas. The warm wind blows tunes
   through plastic flowers as they spin,
   pause awhile, begin again.
Marigolds march by the walk;
the budding mums can almost talk.
   The rhododendron flowers are gone;
   peonies stretch across the lawn,
their blossoms but a memory,
like trilliums, once heavenly.
   The garden weaves around the house
   in narrow beds made by my spouse,
while I succumb to summer heat
and wait for autumn. What a treat!

Jean, at 80, has been writing poems since she was 18. For 25 years she published a popular poetry quarterly of up to 100 pages, with a subscribership of nearly 500. Illness in 1986 ended the magazine. She currently publishes, by email, a 2-page monthly of clean humor. Contact her at jcalkins01@charter.net.

6 comments:

  1. Jean, I love your wonderful word painting of the plant varieties and glorious colors. Although, I am so far, mentally, from autumn, I must agree it is a grand and colorful season, though, I am not anxious for what follows. Thanks to Whispers for presenting you and your poem and thank you so much for a great morning read. Sheri / www.poetryandbeyond.net

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  2. Delightful poem Jean. I felt like I was strolling in your garden. I love flowers, the trouble is where I live the deer eat most flowers people plant. Yes, autumn sounds wonderful after the heat becomes unbearable! Thanks for sharing a lovely piece! Enjoyed it. ~Chris

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  3. Beautifully written, I could almost smell the bouquet and sounds heavenly! Enjoyed my visit, keep penning!

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  4. Hi Jean. I can't wait until Autumn gets here either, with all the beautiful colors, just like the beauty of your poem. Flowers are beautiful indeed. This is a delightful read. Thank you for sharing. Continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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  5. This is such a poetic bouquet you've offered us :) Loved these lines the most:

    The warm wind blows tunes
    through plastic flowers as they spin,
    pause awhile, begin again.

    Excellently done :)

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  6. Dear Jean,

    A lovely poem about your enjoying your garden so well cared for by your husband. Thank you for giving us a beautiful poem to envision.

    Sandra

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