Something Stronger Maybe?

(thank you Lale for the inspiration)

bending branches of philadelphus

heavy with double blooms of virginal white

:

heady with perfume of orange blossom

captivate a hot June evening

:

a whisper of summer breeze gently

oh so gently stirs those confetti like petals

:

as they cascade in delicate softness, 

feather light, carpeting freshly mown grass

:

i hold open palms of my hands to capture

sweet scented fragile fall of fragrant flowers

:

for many years i have stood beneath this

overgrown shrub to drink in its ambience

:

but never before have i harvested petals

with an intention to turn their swan like demise

:

into a delicious tea of my own making

served for me, sans milk, in a bone china cup

Reviews

[Eilis]

I enjoy the way your formatting mirrors the idea of petals falling. The dots in between each couplet like the delicate fall of those blossoms. I was there with you in the moment. Looking up to see the next petals fall and waiting for my hands to be filled with the lightness of those soft, heady blooms.

What a beautiful scene, Chris. But, also that turn at the end offers a bit more if I wish to explore. The swan like demise becoming something pleasurable. The kind of surreal way the loss of something becomes sustenance when we have the imagination to create beautiful moment from things that fall away of their own weight. The slow build and beauty of your scene are such a lovely escape. I want to find my own mock orange tree and spend an afternoon underneath. I really enjoyed the way the poem impacted my senses. An excellent summer moment shared.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Eilis. I am thrilled that you enjoyed the time in my garden under the orange blossom.tree. Memorable by its fragrance. The blossom doesn't last longer than a couple of weeks, but it is heavenly whilst we have it. Many thanks for this lovely review.

Chris

[Lorry]

The beauty of all those moments of petalled snow falling, resetting both the scene and the mind that contemplates their beauty, enough to drink it in for all it is worth.
Beauty, fragility and patience, captured in a never ending cycle of change and renewal.
Was it sweet enough without adding sugar? 😀

[Chris Shaw]

No sugar required Lorry. This dame is sweet enough:) Tea tasted lovely. A bit like jasmine tea. Been really windy today and all that lovely white blossom has fallen. Better evening here now though.

Chris

[Lorry]

Its been a bit torrential today. Walked to the shop, swam back. Spoiling our heatwave too! Yes, I said heatwave 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Wot, you had a heatwave too? How about that? Did you enjoy your swim back from the shops? :))

[Lorry]

Nope. Felt cheated out of summer already 😀

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, the lines drop like the petals...this poem really works on the senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. And freshly mowed grass does look like a carpet...
we get lost in the garden, and really don't care if we ever find our way out.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Jacob, you are welcome to linger in my garden as long as you like. I know you don't drink tea. How about a vanilla milkshake?

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... Hibiscus Tea is a taste that blends with tea
grown in mountains high where sunshine turns the flavor
to licorice wine. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, licorice wine sounds a delight. Something I have never had the pleasure of tasting. Thank you so much for the heads up.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Gorgeous imagery!
Wraps up with a sweet, homey, human touch--unsurprisingly, British-inclined.
Much enjoyed, gifted poetess.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. Nothing like a cup of tea in a lovely garden. Thank you so much for your visit.
read moreThank you Jimmy. Nothing like a cup of tea in a lovely garden. Thank you so much for your visit.

Chris