lavender garden

I'm in a poisoned forest.

I have a few thorn marks on my arms,

from gentlemen who brag about bringing me roses.

Foxes became my friends and lambs were afraid to come near me.

My reputation was misrepresented in the wrong tribes.

And I blamed myself for the plague in the forest.

It got dark and a bandit curled up next to me.

He hummed quietly without looking me in the eye.

and my wounds faded away as he sang

He offered to take me to my destination when the sun rose.

He said he would shield me

 and he is immune to the poison here.

He is now my reflection in the water

When i am with him i am always in the lavender garden

Because he makes me feel like I can withstand any season.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

lots to see in your prose/poem ... we can make the beauty of forest, hill and dale dulled with our decisions ... intriguing to me that your "bandit" becomes a safe and solid ground for your speaker ... not sure i would trust such and arrangement to hold up ... very thought provoking for me Beren ..thanks for sharing
E.

[Beren]

I think I'll trust him. Let's see. Thank you so much for your time sir! Always good to see you here!

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ..................

[Amy R]

What a poem, so deep filled with meaning. I always loved lavender flowers, so that made me want to read this poem more.
The "poisoned forest" serves as a metaphor for a harmful or challenging circumstance, while the bandit represents a source of unexpected support and understanding.

Thanks for sharing.
-Amy

[Beren]

Sometimes you can meet unexpected people in unexpected places and they can take you to new unexpected places! Thank you so much Amy!

[Amy R]

TRUE, You're welcome, keep well.

[emmajoygreen]

Deep in the Meaning of Plants' tome, Lavender is deemed to calm which is why bags of it are made to keep in pockets or sachets of it to go near pillows. Plus there are reliable lavender scents which can be dabbed behind the ears or rn the crook of an elbow. It might calm an assailant but is not a fighter! Perhaps is best to avoid trouble by behaving logically not relying on the scent of a flower.

Beautifully laid words as a poem but logic is THE word, dear friend.

[Beren]

Logic will always be there to protect us, but maybe sometimes it's okay to listen to our hearts? Well, if it is problematic, we'll get out of it somehow.I love everything about lavender! It's great that you know all of this.
Thank you so much for your time! Hope everything is great!

[Coyote Poetry]

So beautiful, so wonderful. The story written in the poetry.
(He is now my reflection in the water
When i am with him i am always in the lavender garden
Because he makes me feel like I can withstand any season.)
I loved the ending. Create beautiful place and a garden to rest in. Thank you dear Beren for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Beren]

Yes, definitely, it is important for gardens to provide peace and rest. Thank you so much sir! Have a great week!

[A.H.]

I love the shade of lavender and that brought me here..
I like the references and images here - poisoned forest, foxes and friends, misrepresented reputation, a bandit, reflection and lavender garden. you wove everything here beautifully and the write is dark, vulnerable and talks of finding safe havens in a world of strangers, that hold poison that stings. your thoughts flow effortlessly and can feel that pulse and emotions in words here. you're writing with so much depth and heart, keep it going, B.

[Beren]

I'm so glad to hear that from you. Thank you so much, really. I can't avoid the fact that being vulnerable and speaking my mind can get me into trouble, but that's bravery, right? Or this is just a defense I make to myself to appease my naivety. Haha! Thank you again! Have a great week!

[A.H.]

speaking your mind is always the right way to go. so, you're right on money :) take care, B. Have a great week too!

[Billy]

This poem is so vulnerable, and seems to deal with themes of reputation destruction and perhaps redemption? The opening lines establish a sense of danger in being emotionally vulnerable . The image of "thorn marks on my arms" from "gentlemen who brag about bringing me roses" is particularly evocative. There’s feelings of being misunderstood, that your reputation has somehow become distorted? The image of the bandit singing to the protagonist’s wounds is a beautiful expression of gentle compassion, and the lavender garden is where this peace and tranquility can exist. Such a vivid poem, rich with metaphor and beautiful contrast.

[Beren]

I'm glad you found this vulnerable, that was my intention. Lavenders are something I associate with love, and that's why I initially mock the gentlemen who bring the classic roses. I needed lavenders, not roses. I really like your comments because you always give realistic and thoughtful comments. Thank you so much! Have a great week!

[Billy]

That’s a most interesting contrast with red roses a symbol of passion and lavender a symbol of calmness. Devotion could also be a theme with the few days lifespan of cut roses contrasted with the years the lavender may last in a cared for garden.

[Beren]

I definitely used lavender as a durable flower. Moreover, I find it exaggerated that the color of love is red, red can also evoke violence. It reminds me of a toxic relationship. Lavenders are more peaceful and durable.

[Billy]

That is really interesting. The gifting of roses also evokes a giver and receiver relationship. The lavender garden is a shared environment with room for reflection and growth.

[Beren]

You are a very deep thinker! Woah! A very wise thought!

[Billy]

There’s a lot of depth to explore in your poetry!

[Lorry]

Reputation is always misrepresented in the mouths of others. I don't know if this is a local or universal thing but it really grates to hear someone blurt out "Well I just think..." and I try my best not to reply that you think with your head and not your mouth!

[Beren]

I think so too! I totally agree with this comment. I think unasked advice is just people's way of saying "I'm better than you" Well, I think it's universal.I wish we could just think that people can make mistakes and are responsible for their own lives without judging anyone.
Thank you for your time sir!

[Pete]

poison is for rats. a reflection doesn't lie. not bad, your own eden.

"To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and those who edit and read it are old women over their tea." - Thoreau

[Beren]

Thank you very much for taking time to read and comment sir! have a great weekend!

[Ash]

Okay Beren this is so amazing I could definitely relate to it that is exactly how I felt when I was with my ex and then when I broke up with him I was really upset and then this other boy came along and started talking to me and I cheered up and now we're together now we've been together for 3 weeks and he is absolutely amazing we truly think we are each other's soulmates.

You should be a Poet I hope you are looking to publish a book full of all of your poems to let the world see it because you are a great poet and if I could I would give you a thousand out of a one hundred

[Beren]

Awww. You are so sweet. Thank you so much I keep smiling at this comment, you made me so happy. I am very happy for your new relationship, I hope your love continues to grow for each other.I can't wait to read your new love poems!!!
THANK YOU so much for your time again. You are always welcome here!

[Ash]

your welcome and thank you

[Thomas W Case]

Beautiful imagery. Powerful words.

[Beren]

Thank you so much sir!