Cyclamen: noun, from the Greek kuklos
meaning circle for its circular root.
Cyclamen: a pink, red or white flowering plant
that can survive in tough conditions
that can almost die and come back again
if you show it a small amount of care
water it
and do not give up on it
when it shows signs of wither and loss.
Cyclamen: the flower for true love and art.
Remember a poem is never finished
only abandoned.
My grandmother used to buy me cyclamens
from the garden centre
where we had lunch on rainy days
to cheer me up when I was glum
and when they seemed to be dead
I would throw them away
not knowing yet
about the art of resurrection.
Later, she does the same.
Cyclamen: the almost dead
that I rescue from the brink
on my grandmother's balcony
and take home to tend back to life
unaware she would be dead
before I am able to bring it back to her
that flowers on my porch
pink flames and fleshy stems
a full year after we place her gently underground
a true love
circular
lasting beyond life
unable to be abandoned.
A daily resurrection
I tend with care
place in the light
and water just enough
to keep it alive
wishing people were like this
thinking maybe in a way
we are.
[Poem and photo by Miriam Barr]
I !LUV 3 this piece. Great piece of writing, Miri. One of the lines reminds me of the British poet Basil Bunting - don't be put off by the name; I think he's amazing too!
Thanks melon! The eternal resurrection of spring or something along those lines right? Wasn't consciously referencing that but it must have been stored away at the back of my mind and not entirely coincidental.
Nice poem and I learned botany too. !LUV
I like the reoccurring theme of resurrections throughout this poem, and how that relates to the flower, the wider theme of old age and your relationship with your grandmother.
Very nice :)
Thanks!
@mirilarbarr, you were given LUV from @almightymelon. About LUV: https://peakd.com/@luvshares
@mirilarbarr, you were given LUV from @crrdlx. About LUV: https://peakd.com/@luvshares
Yay! 🤗
Your content has been boosted with Ecency Points, by @writing.group.
Use Ecency daily to boost your growth on platform!
Support Ecency
Vote for Proposal
Delegate HP and earn more