Fire Flowers
(I wrote this for Three Word Wednesday — this week’s words are gentle, praise, and vulgar.)
seeds small as dust motes,
indistinct from dark soil flecks,
lie separate from each other,
in vulgar plastic squares
first, germination
then lone stalks of green
unfurl petals of red and violet
who praise not water but flame
lightning cracks, blossoms ignite
and from each blazing flower curls
chromatic, jasmine-scented smoke
that coils like rainbow snakes
serpentine mists mingle on air,
carry seeds far to fall on fertile ground
there to grow, gentle-hued and free to sing
sunbeam songs and drink of moonlight’s milk
Tags: poetry, Three Word Wednesday
Filed under: Three Word Wednesday, poetry
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Lovely. I like the part about “vulgar plastic squares” because that’s how I feel about it, too. Isn’t it strange that such natural grace and beauty can be bought in cheap plastic?
1 Ann (bunnygirl) said this (July 15, 2010 at 12:19 am)
Thanks so much, Ann!
Yes, it is deeply ironic to be able to buy such gorgeousness in tacky, throwaway artifice.
2 ThommaLyn said this (July 15, 2010 at 1:04 am)
this is wonderful – loved the last part best: “free to sing
sunbeam songs and drink of moonlight’s milk” – gorgeous line!
3 Dee said this (July 15, 2010 at 8:09 am)
This is vibrant and colorful, great flow and wonderful word choices in your descriptions throughout.
“chromatic, jasmine-scented smoke”
“serpentine mists”
You have a talent Thomma.
4 Jay Thurston said this (July 15, 2010 at 10:10 am)
This is very Beautiful. Thank you for posting.
-Tim
ps. I love your site!
5 Timothy P. Remp said this (July 15, 2010 at 11:35 am)
your talent in words is highly commendable
http://bit.ly/9JWQ0M
6 Divaa D said this (July 15, 2010 at 12:22 pm)
@Dee — thank you! That was my favorite line, too.
@Jay — thank you so much for your kind comment.
@Timothy: thank you, and I’m glad you enjoy Grace Notes.
@Diva: thanks. It’s good to be back to 3WW.
7 ThommaLyn said this (July 15, 2010 at 12:59 pm)
Powerful, beautiful. Just a wonderful read. I read it first in my head, but then read it out loud. The ending just sings.
8 ThomG said this (July 15, 2010 at 4:52 pm)
@Thom — thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m delighted that you read the poem out loud.
9 ThommaLyn said this (July 15, 2010 at 5:24 pm)
Beautiful and well done for being able to incorporate vulgar into the poem in a seamless manner.
10 Gabrielle Bryden said this (July 15, 2010 at 6:23 pm)
Thanks so much, Gabrielle.
11 ThommaLyn said this (July 15, 2010 at 7:48 pm)
‘sunbeam songs and drink of moonlight’s milk’
Beautiful flowing words.
12 Harshad said this (July 15, 2010 at 8:50 pm)
Thank you, Harshad!
13 ThommaLyn said this (July 15, 2010 at 9:26 pm)
beautiful poem this is…loved it…and the wonderful use of words, you amazed me…:-)
14 Amity said this (July 15, 2010 at 9:26 pm)
Awwww, warm fuzzies — thank you, Amity.
15 ThommaLyn said this (July 15, 2010 at 9:26 pm)
Nicely written poem
16 Short Poems said this (July 16, 2010 at 2:09 pm)
Thank you.
17 ThommaLyn said this (July 16, 2010 at 3:26 pm)
Very lovely, very vivid imagery. Loved it.
Hugsabunches, KS
18 Dorothy said this (July 16, 2010 at 5:20 pm)
Thanks so much, dear ((((((KS!))))))
19 ThommaLyn said this (July 16, 2010 at 6:11 pm)