Something Stronger Maybe?

(thank you Lale for the inspiration)

bending branches of philadelphus

heavy with double blooms of virginal white

:

heady with perfume of orange blossom

captivate a hot June evening

:

a whisper of summer breeze gently

oh so gently stirs those confetti like petals

:

as they cascade in delicate softness, 

feather light, carpeting freshly mown grass

:

i hold open palms of my hands to capture

sweet scented fragile fall of fragrant flowers

:

for many years i have stood beneath this

overgrown shrub to drink in its ambience

:

but never before have i harvested petals

with an intention to turn their swan like demise

:

into a delicious tea of my own making

served for me, sans milk, in a bone china cup

Reviews

[Eilis]

I enjoy the way your formatting mirrors the idea of petals falling. The dots in between each couplet like the delicate fall of those blossoms. I was there with you in the moment. Looking up to see the next petals fall and waiting for my hands to be filled with the lightness of those soft, heady blooms.

What a beautiful scene, Chris. But, also that turn at the end offers a bit more if I wish to explore. The swan like demise becoming something pleasurable. The kind of surreal way the loss of something becomes sustenance when we have the imagination to create beautiful moment from things that fall away of their own weight. The slow build and beauty of your scene are such a lovely escape. I want to find my own mock orange tree and spend an afternoon underneath. I really enjoyed the way the poem impacted my senses. An excellent summer moment shared.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Eilis. I am thrilled that you enjoyed the time in my garden under the orange blossom.tree. Memorable by its fragrance. The blossom doesn't last longer than a couple of weeks, but it is heavenly whilst we have it. Many thanks for this lovely review.

Chris

[...]

This poem is magical and lifting. I feel positive vibrations how they tingling at my mind when i am reading it. Lale i think is one of the most magical poets. I think and feel this poem get very close to her unique style. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Lale and I were taking about petals. She suggested orange blossom tea, so she inspired me to write this. Thank you so much for reading it and leaving your thoughts.

Chris

[AJNJ]

This is something so refreshing to read. Turning fragrant blossoms into a cup of heavenly tea so imaginatively must be a treat for all the senses!. Being a tea lover, I appreciated it very very much! Loved it!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pestonjee. I do love a cuppa and this was quite different. Hope you are well and sorry for my late response.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

A lovey serene scene
holding sweet the
moments in an
enchanting garden
then sipping the
tea in delicate detail
of fine bone China
what a pleasant
way to spend time

well penned
piece of poetry

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran Marie. The tea by the way was delicious, delicate and refreshing.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, I admire not only the form and flow of this poem but also the contrast of nature uninhibited (falling petals and overgrown shrub) and our human, intervening hands (catching the petals, making tea, mown lawn, etc.). I suppose it shows how we can live in harmony with nature, and use what nature provides. An exceptional poem in all regards.

[Chris Shaw]

I'm so pleased you enjoyed this write Robert and I thank you so much for your encouragement and your lovely review.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

You’re welcome, Chris.

[Weeping willow]

Lovely write as words flow into a picture of images to the eyes ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Weeping willow. You are always so supportive in your encouragement. I thank you and send you all good wishes from across the waters.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Sounds delicious, but yes, I probably would want to spice it a bit with "something stronger." I found this one to be a soothing, gentle picture of a private moment on a "hot" June evening. Hot is a matter of what you are accustomed to. I recently read a report about the British public swarming to the beaches in the midst of a "heat wave." What was the temperature? Eighty six. On the sweltering, sticky east coast of the US, that would be considered a period of relief.

[Chris Shaw]

All I can say regarding the heat, is poor you. We had 32 C here which is almost 90 in Fahrenheit. I spent the time indoors only venturing out briefly, first thing in the morning and during the evening. We are just not used to it and we don't have air conditioning in our homes. Soft aren't we? The tea was delicate and refreshing. My other half attacked the red wine :)
Many thanks John for your welcome visit.

Chris

[Lale]

My dear Christine! this is an ethereal poem.. I love the mood.. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lale. Pleased you enjoyed it and the tea by the way was delicious. So delicate in flavour.

Chris

[Lale]

I'm glad you liked it.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly all the blossom is down now. We have had wind and rain all day but luckily I did get to try the tea out. Next year I'll be prepared:))

[Lale]

You can dry the petals and save them for later.. It's Ok, next year. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you :) I'll be out there tomorrow morning :)

[Dave Brown]

The garden is truly a wonderful place, as is the smell of freshly cut grass.
I read an article this morn on the benefits of coffee.
I wonder if your tea will offer those same benefits?
I hope this is being consumed in the garden, in the sun, betwixed the flowers and trees
Happy sipping 2 all

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Dave. I did indeed sip my tea in the garden in the last of the evening sun, sitting on the deck surrounded by flowers. Very nice it was too. Changed today though. Rain all the way. Hope you have a good weekend.

Chris