an
orchid
intrigues me,
with its beauty
and its simple grace,
varied varieties,
speckled or veined with color,
rare types, popping color contrasts,
ruffled or smooth, they’re shapeshifting things,
I begin to understand Nero Wolfe
and his fascination with orchids
or the hold they have with smugglers.
they are mimics in disguise,
as monkeys or dancers,
ducks, egrets or bees.
under greenhouse
glass they thrive,
beauty
blooms.
© Susan Joy Clark 2021
This was written a little late for the dVerse Poetics challenge, in which we were challenged to write a poem with a gardening theme. I was not too inspired yesterday, suffering from a post Covid shot migraine. I decided to write about orchids which I have grown to love, beginning with some visits to public gardens such as the New York Botanical Gardens. This is a double etheree, with the following syllable count pattern, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.
This is beautiful! I cared for an orchid, a Christmas gift last year, for six months until it’s blooms dropped … Hoping with tender loving care it will bloom again.
I understand. I am fascinated with them, but they can be tricky to maintain. We’ve tried a few, but they didn’t last. I hope yours will bloom again. I started “collecting” their images on Pinterest, and that garden will keep living. 😛 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
I {{{{LOVE}}}} orchids. I used to grow some occasionally, but the demands to do it correctly now are too much for me. Love the engaging descriptive essence of your piece — well written … 🙂
Thanks so much, Rob. 🙂 And I’m glad you can appreciate them like I do. I can’t say I’ve been too successful maintaining them (so far.)
Have you seen the movie about the orchid thief? I can’t remember what its called but your poem made me think of it. They are beautifully haunting flowers.
I did not see the movie but read the book that the movie was based on. I was thinking about that while writing this. 🙂
Even better!
🙂
This is a such a lovely Double Etheree (for someone who’s suffering, Susan! 😊)
I have a splendid orchid in my hallway, that has bloomed this year for a second time.
Thank you, Laurie. I am feeling a bit better. I still have somewhat of a lingering headache, but the whammy of that first day is over. I’m glad your orchid is healthy and doing well.
Orchids are beautiful. So true that their variety is stunning. Beautiful poem.
Thank you, Anna. 🙂
Such an well-thought poem, Susan. I think your words depicted swell just how intriguing orchids are, and how they are not what they appear to be.
I never thought of them this way, but always an aspect of them seemed to elude me. Now I know what it is 🙂
🙂 I’m so glad you liked it, Pat.
This is soo beautiful! I love orchids. So I resonate with; “speckled or veined with color,
rare types, popping color contrasts, ruffled or smooth, they’re shapeshifting things.”💝💝
Thank you, Sanaa. Your words encourage me. 🙂
under greenhouse
glass they thrive,
beauty blooms.
Love the close Susan! The beauty of greenhouse plants, they can be so adorable given the care irrespective in which climatic conditions they are found!
Hank
PS Apologies, Susan! Somehow Hank could not get through in your previous posting
Thank you, Hank. Actually, I did see your comment on my jukebox poem. Thanks for both comments.
Thanks for confirming to me, Ma’am. It is such a relief!
Hank
🙂
Orchids are fascinating – they are such elegant flowers to me – beautifully captured
Thank you, Claudia. 🙂
Susan, this is so beautiful!
I love Orchids and I love your poem. 🌼🌼