And now for today’s (optional) prompt. The word florilegium refers to a book of botanical illustrations of decorative plants and also a collection of excerpts from other writings. In her poem, “Florilegium,” Canadian poet Sylvia Legris gathers together many five-lined stanzas that describe flowers but also play with the sounds of their names, their medical (or poisonous) qualities, and historical aspects of herbalism. Today, pick a flower or two (or a whole bouquet, if you like) from this online edition of Kate Greenaway’s Language of Flowers. Now, write your own poem in which you muse on your selections’ names and meanings. If you’re so inclined, you could even do some outside research into your flowers, and incorporate facts that you learn into your work.
Arti, this is a stunning poem. The red of the hibiscus gathers so many meanings here... blood, divinity, perception, grief, courage, witness, wound, omen, invocation. And the poem carries them all with real force. The final lines are devastating and unforgettable. Powerful work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your close reading.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI can only echo the comment above... this is superb, my friend! YAM xx
Thank you Yamini :)
Deletepinpricks of human pupils / that watch wars on screens / but keep mum - I no longer know how to react to people's apathy... it is building a mountain inside my own mouth. Your poem is on point and brilliantly stitched together... but the last few years have made me cynical enough to think that all the poetry in the world won't melt hardened hearts...though this one has the best chance.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the inevitability of cynicism Rajani but then I'm reminded of Toni Morrison's words that this is precisely the time and the reason to write--if only as witnesses-- how can we not?
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