Birthday Flora

cast them aside they said

once dressed in pearl perfection

those roses are undoubtedly dead

while tiger moon lilies look on

bruised and bemused

no longer gifting scent

memory of perfume pervades

in a room where blooms wither

petals turn paper thin

perfection long gone

heart cries no they stay

there is elegance in demise

they stand proud in a vase

whose clear cut glass gleams

my grey eyes cloud empathetic

they stand tall

flowers may lose colour

fade fast, nothing living lasts

though stems show backbone

in the face of adversity

behold broken beauty

in silent solace lingering

dignity dawdles towards death

dried out they may be

and soon to be but not yet

a reminisce

Reviews

[Dave]

March 9th was her birthday. The beautiful bouquet still gives off its delicious aroma and the blossoms brighten the room. To see her face when she catches a glimpse of them each day she passes them is a joy.
Thank you for the wonderful, imagery you put in your writing.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Good she had a birthday bouquet. Thank you fir your visit Dave. My best wishes.

Chris

[Dave]

You too, Chris.
Take care - Dave

[Cdice Gamble]

Beautiful. I will look at stems now in a new way. A symbol of hope in adversity. Thank you Christine.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Cddice, thank you so much for your visit and for sharing your very positive thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Savanna Robbins]

Love your many vivid details. I can see them clearly in my mind. This poem sheds a light on beauty but also the circle of life and the beauty of it. Thanks for sharing!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Savanna for your visit and your understanding. All good wishes.

Chris

[Anthony Phillips Schepi..]

I enjoyed this poem, Chris. The delight of receiving a birthday arrangement to mark the passing of this milestone. As the flora fades and dies, so does our satisfaction. Our memory holds to both the event and the comfort in the thoughtfulness. Thank you for sharing this fine poem. I enjoyed reading.-Anthony

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Anthony for sharing your thoughts. Your visited appreciated and valued. All the best.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"they stand tall
flowers may lose colour
fade fast, nothing living lasts
though stems show backbone
in the face of adversity"
Lovely, wistful and tender metaphors of remembrance of the lifecycle of nature and humankind here dear Chris. Exquisite language, verse, imagery, alliteration- magnificent. Such pathos beautifully expressed. Brava my friend-truly Master Class write!!

[Chris Shaw]

You spoil me dear Annette with this very generous review. Thanking you most warmly. Have a great week-end.

Chris

[barleygirl]

I love your effusive writing, equal to a big bountiful bouquet, and also I love the metaphor to old age. I leave old foliage on plants thru the winter becuz, since we only freeze one or two mornings in a winter, but many mornings near-freezing, the old foliage keeps the root ball from being damaged -- another reason to keep the old around a while! I love your wordplay, as well as you message (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

How right you are Margie. You must leave plants to winterise. Clipping their wings too soon, they won't flourish when the season changes. There is value in oldies :) Thank you so much. All good wishes winging there way to you from across the waters.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

reminds me of the flowers I had for parents...the bloom had faded, they didn't stand as tall, but they fought like hell to survive...and fought to keep their dignity and independence...
two roses leaning towards and on each other.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Beautiful thoughts you have shared here Jacob. Thank you so much. Yes two roses leaning on each other.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

wow, Chris, this is a gem of a poem! there is a deep and profound beauty that can be found in the fade and you just gave me a wonderful view and reminder of it! these lines are a different thing all together they are woven perfectly!!!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny, your generous review warms my heart.Thanking you muchly and sending you every good wish from across the waters.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I see this as a take on how sfter death our purpose will remain in the hearts of loved ones. Either way a fantastic poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Dale for your thoughtful review and kindness. All good wishes.

Chris

[.]

" Dignity dawdles towards death" Such beautiful line. Every mortal being will die, but the life living and the way means everything... Petals withers away but the fragrance lingers on and thus death seems so frail in front of that dignified life... A strong poem wrapped in such beauty

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you always Sima for your thoughtful reviews and visits. Much love.

Chris