Vainilla

My first attempt at Rhyme Royal, verses of 7 lines in iambic pentameter with a rhyming scheme of ababbcc. Papantla is the vanilla growing area of Mexico; thus, my title's Spanish spelling.

Revere this orchid's capsule of the gods:

exotic royal flavoring and scent.

The Aztecs found the secret of these pods,

which turn cake into manna, heaven-sent!

To find fresh beans, Papantla's where I went.

    With vine-like orchid I came face to face,

    and plucked a heady pod of tropic grace. 

Reviews

[Blossom]

Well, Chef, not only have you given us a good sample of Rhyme Royal, but have descried her highness perfectly: exotic royal flavoring and scent. I’ll remember to describe her thus. And yesss, the aroma of freshly baked cakes makes it what it is, due to the lady in question.
I did go back and forth when I read the title, but then read the intro and got it. I wonder if the extra ‘I’ is pronounced or not.
I think after reading your vanilla poem, I’ll have a cuppa vanilla infused tea.

[Roland Petrov]

Have you heard about Earl Grey Cream? It's simply Earl Grey with the addition of vanilla bean. It's utterly fantastic! It gives the illusion of creaminess. In Mexico, vainilla is pronounced vai-knee-ya.

[Blossom]

Yumm! . . .the illusion of creaminess!

[Blossom]

Hello, Sir! I thought that only I had committed the cardinal sin of being away, but you too, Brutus?
Mum had a cardiac episode like last year's; hence, my absence. My availability and/or writing is directly proportional to her getting better. :-)
Hope you post something soon.

[Roland Petrov]

Yes, me too! I'm working on my second cookbook, and though I've had some good poetic intentions, there was no fruit. I'm going on a two day holiday to the beach tomorrow, so maybe a poem will come of that. Stay tuned!

[Blossom]

Good luck with the book! But I fear most of us jotters are either busy posting elsewhere (and cannot access each other's musings) or, in my case, dealing with some tribulations or badly hit by writer's block. Whatever it is, please try to keep the lot in touch and try to flock somewhere.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Beautiful form and delivery. Much applause!

[APOORVA]

interesting affair.
well written

[Johari]

I have to say, the title had me expecting something else! :-)

I like this and pretty good considering it's a first attempt. You are brilliant with poetic forms where as I tend to stick with free verse. However... is line two not missing a syllable in order to be iambic pentameter?

[Roland Petrov]

It all depends on how you read "flavoring"; I read it as three syllables. How are you, Johari?

[.]

Very cool. I like this form.

[Moon's fairest daughter..]

Hahahahaha.....wow,...that sounds so lovely and perfect....I love this playful little write...I could almost smell the vanilla aroma in this one, and see those pods growing in desolate mexican valleys.... The rhymes are spot on!
Well done! Added to favourites! :)))

[Roland Petrov]

Thanks, Moon's fairest!

[Cherrie Palmer]

what a decadent aroma this leaves behind

[mattavelli]

I'm a fan of vanilla. Is this a true story, one of your travels?

[Roland Petrov]

Actually, I was in a bar in Jalapa, capital of Veracruz, when a vendor came in with a bunch of fresh green vanilla pods from Papantla. It was an eye-opening experience.

[Samuel Dickens]

I read your note after reading the poem and thought, "Oh, so that's why I couldn't make a connection between vanity and that delicious flavor." Ha! I wonder--if the vanilla bean didn't exist, what would folks consider "plain" ice cream to be? A fine poem, and thanks for educating me.

[Roland Petrov]

Vanilla is expensive, exotic, and alluring, yet it's the flavor of "plain". Interesting observation, Sam!

[Suzy Hazelwood]

What a delicious poem Roland...my favourite Vanilla!!♥ And strangely I keep smelling vanilla even while reading your poem, because I had a vanilla soya yoghurt at least three hours ago, it was delicious, and I can still smell it - must have got it in my hair..haha!! :oD I've never sniffed these flowers in real life. The ones you buy as gifts never have any fragrance at all. I think I'd love to visit Papantla and sniff all the orchids. Sounds like heaven to me!!

I know you like a challenge, but I don't know how you do these kind of poems. And I've never heard of Rhyme Royal. There seems no end to these poetry styles.

[Roland Petrov]

It's the pods or beans that provide the vanilla; not sure if the flowers even have any vanilla scent or not. Fresh vanilla beans are green and soft, and the aroma is less harsh than the dried and brittle beans in the little jars in the grocery stores. Rhyme Royal was used by Shakespeare, among others. You know, I think I do better with poetic styles that have to fit a criteria. Unlike you, I'm not that good with free verse. You're particularly gifted in that department.