For The Love of Daisies

(In memory of Eirwen)

I well recall the games once played

as children on the lawn,

when daisies woke to greet the day

still damp from dew at dawn.

We'd gather them and split the stems

to thread them one by one,

then place a crown upon our heads

and dance in summer sun.

But daisies should be left in peace

to flourish where they grow,

for each one with its smiling face

has nowhere else to go.

And Eirwen loved each tiny bloom,

that some would call a weed.

To pick them out or cut them down,

she'd say there was no need.

There's space enough for them to stay

their presence will not harm

and dressed up in their fresh white skirts

they have eternal charm.

I do not think I'll ever take

a daisy from its bed,

for Eirwen's thoughts are planted now

and rooted in my head.

Reviews

[Richard🖌]

Nothing's more fetchingly lovely than a maiden faire with daisies in her hair.
Delightfully rendered, Christine, in Ballad form that flows and dances in sweet rhythms and the smoothness of spot-on syntax up off the page into our hearts from this wonderful tale of daisies in Eirwen's honor.
Consequently, Eirwen is a lovely name in my ancestral Welsh language … one is left to wonder whom your Eirwen might be to inspire such a sweet composition.
Brings to mind a poem from my own pen you might enjoy, too:
"Daisies" http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1937821/

This one made me swoon from its sheer moment in gentle grace in homage to Eirwen and one of Nature's sweetest flowers … thank you for the happy, tender feelings I love so dearly! ⁓ Richard : )

(L1, consider "I well recall the games once played" to bring it into count, and V2 L1, add "t" to "Bur") I'm too picky, some say … LOL!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Richard, thank you so much for reviewing another of my poems. Your assistance with critique is greatly appreciated, and I don't mind in the least. It's all in the detail, I say. Eirwen was the mother of two friends who happened to be twins. And Eirwen was indeed Welsh. I wrote this after she died. Your input appreciated.

[Richard🖌]

Now, what a sissy you'll think me to know my eyes welled and brimmed … diolch yn fawr, Christine.
You're one of the few who actually use my critique … it makes my input feel valid …thank you, Christine.

[Stella Armour]

lovely poetry Christine and a delight to read.

I well remember a meadow where my cousins and i played in childhood, and of course yes we made daisy chains, and we made whistles by blowing grass blades between out thumbs ..what wonderful times they were ...childhood at its best :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella, you reminded me of the whistles as well. We did that too. A trip down memory lane.

[Stella Armour]

What a lovely trip too... leaves wonderful images in my mind... thank you :)

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased I took you on that trip Stella.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

This certainly has the ‘Ahhh’ factor - poetically nostalgic and anecdotal in nature. The imagery, the subject matter and stanza flow makes this a pleasure to read … excellent! P.S. The name Eirwen means: "white snow" from the Welsh elements eira "snow" and gwen "white, blessed". - :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Phill, especially for advising what the name Eirwen means in Welsh. White snow, that is beautiful and quite apt for the daisy as well.

[Paul Bell]

Sort of remember my sisters making perfume with flowers.
Though I do remember daisy chains.
No chance of the daises being disturbed now, kids would have to google daisy chains.
Do kids have fun now.?

[Chris Shaw]

Yeah, they havre fun with their cyberfriends, on instagram, or snapchat. Some even venture out into the fresh air (my grandchildren live with me, so talking from experience) but daisy chains, making perfume, paper chains at Christmas? Nope.

[Gee]

A joy to read Christine, from first to last flawless.
Good morning :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Gee, pleased you enjoyed the read. Have a great day.

[Kalea Barger]

Absolutely gorgeous. Your rhyming was so effortless and flowed with a wonderful combination of maturity and wonder. I am astonished by your ability to keep a steady meter and still have the poem sound so natural. The descriptions of the daisies and how you would create crowns prompted lovely memories of my own childhood and picking daisies with my sister. From the morning dew, to their “fresh white skirts,” the daisies came alive in my mind with your imagery and diction. Eirwen’s kind and delicate thoughts deserve to be heard by all and rooted into all of our heads.

[Chris Shaw]

So happy you enjoyed this poem, and even more so because it took you on a journey back in time. Pleased to meet you here Kalea.

[peter Duggan]

Very lovely Poem Christine. You take me back to those days so very long ago. Beautiful words, rhyme and flow. Perfect write, my friend....Peter

[Chris Shaw]

It brings back a lot of happy memories for me too Peter. Thank you for reading.

[emipoemi]

.......I have no words, my voice is in my awe! Marvellously constructed, and brilliantly executed! I was taken by the hand and drifted through the world! Much enjoyed! Well done!

[Chris Shaw]

What a review emipoemi, I am blushing. Thank you so much and pleased to meet you.

[emipoemi]

my pleasure!
Pleased to meet you too.

[Papaya]

I absolutely agree with Eirwen's thinking. :)

This poem was wonderful from start to finish.
I love rhyming poems and yours always flow wish such ease.

[Papaya]

*with : )

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your review.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your every line touched my heart with an ethereal feel of emotion. How beautifully you penned this, Christine!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Kelly.