White Violets

White Violets

 

I very nearly fell asleep

Without remembering

The four white violets

And the green sweater

You both made famous

In whatever year it was

 

But that was long ago

And way before I ever

Fell in love with words

Or began this oh’ so

Singular affair with poetry

 

I remember now though

How they looked

Like four pearlescent stars

Pinned to a green field

Left off centre, rising gently

And breathing sighs …

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I thought it was about time I gave your four white violets and green sweater an airing. I remembered it today when I reflected on Devon violets, the purple sort which was a favourite scent of my Nan's back in the sixties. I spent ages trying to find it, but got there eventually. It was worth the wait. Fragrant poetry and lovely with it.

Chris

[Neville]

......... there are some things we never forget aren't there .. I have a distinct recollection of that very same scent on my Grandma ...thanks Chris

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

From Dawlish in Devon ya know. Devon violets very popular during Edwardian times. Ladies would pin a corsage of them on their dress. Later on came the scent in bottles which our grans loved. I can still remember the small white porcelain bottle with a violet painted on the outside. I got the empty bottles as a seven year old. Good morning Neville. Have a good day.

[Neville]

I did not know that .. but my maternal Grandma was from Princetown on the Moor so it makes sense ... thank you Chris and have a good day too :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello Neville. A wonderful poem shared. You allowed the reader understand the place, the situation and the memory. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Neville]

How kind you are Coyote and always both welcome and very much appreciated .......... N :)read more
How kind you are Coyote and always both welcome and very much appreciated .......... N :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Neville... at last... we can join the elite who see
flowers in the sky and puddles in a rain where we huddled
together in passionate rendezvous of poetry. I will forever
lie in parchment skies. tenderly, Pat

[Neville]

Bless you my dear lady Pat and tenderly back at ya :)

[Patricia Wedel]

🍊 Tangerines and thee... thank you...

[Neville]

.........................🍊🍊🍊 :)

[light and ashes]

The last stanza made my heart race and breath stop. So gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Neville]

My very sincerest of pleasure Allie B and thank you ... if ya dont live too far away, I can pop round and give ya mouth to mouth :)

[light and ashes]

I have a boyfriend who is actually a writer on this site but thanks anyway and you're welcome.

[Neville]

How lovely.. wonder if he has ever reviewed my wife

[Neville]

or me for that matter ..

[Einstein Noodle]

Neville .... you've outdone yourself .. i find this so romantic ... such sublime sensuality and beauty .. found in a single breath under green sweaters and white violets .. simply beautiful sir!
E.
ps. i did not know there were white violets ... so looked them up .. thank you for that my friend! ...Viola blanda ...too cool :)

[Neville]

what can this old fella say except for thank you dear friend .. it seems we have both learnt something new today... viola blanda eh :)

[Einstein Noodle]

;) .......................

[barleygirl]

I must be missing this mojo that you & Chris have in abundance where you can remember the most abstract scenes from life, sparkling in full detail, including a deep well of how it all felt when it went down. I can't even remember the BIG EVENTS in such exquisite detail, which is why I envy you so when I read something like this! (((DITZ))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

I dont think you miss anything Margie... tis but a ruse... in fact an amusin rusin :)

[Chris Shaw]

Whenever I think of violets I don't think of white ones. They are of course a delicate little flower and I can imagine a tiny corsage pinned just above the left breast on that green sweater that you couldn't take your eyes off. Each breath carefully noted. This must be a very old memory because I know you have loved poetry for very many years. Maybe an adolescent memory. A very sensitive write. Devon violets I remember very well. Violet in colour and beautifully perfumed. A fragrant and lovely poem Neville.

Chris

[Neville]

an old memory but given form & substance earlier today... thank you Chris.. it feels like you know me inside out

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Ha! It may feel like that but rest assured you are an enigma to me. I could of course be lying. Did I ever tell you I was a white witch?

Chris

[Neville]

Did I ever tell you I was ...

[Chris Shaw]

a wind up merchant? No but I discovered it for myself with a few other things such as the time you..............