My father grew cyclamen, primulas, and maidenhair fern
in rows of pots on a table in our enclosed veranda.
Every night he would water them, and give each one a turn
so they'd get the sun (through glass) evenly all round, a bit at a time.
He liked to display his cyclamen, primulas, and maidenhair fern
on the long, enclosed veranda outside the dining-room window
where we could watch them in their pretty profusion, and learn
how flowers loved both sun and water, seeing them thrive –
the delicate leaves of the maidenhair bobbing continuously up and down
as if in a breeze (but there was none). He would savour their names
on his tongue, lovingly: cyclamen, primulas, and maidenhair fern.
I wanted to try the Fold, a form invented by Trinidad and Tobago poet Gillena Cox. Then I saw something that triggered this childhood memory.
This is a beautiful childhood memory.Skilfully crafted for maximum effect.
ReplyDeleteLoved it. They are lilting lovely names...!
Oh nice Rosemary. The rhyming word of Line Nine is pretty clever since at that point you opted for the last letter instead of the sound. So then there is the continuous rhyme. The observation and conversation with nature. The Eleven Line count. The Fifth Line Crease. Not bad for a first Fold. Thanks for you endorsement
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
It was a lovely form to play with!
DeleteI can see the row of beautiful blooms, and see your father, tending them so lovingly. I, too, love the way the names sound on the tongue. Loved this one, Rosemary!
ReplyDelete