The sun glints
on bare branches
stretching up,
not dead – full of light:
skeletal but deeply waiting
for buds to begin, new life.
I've seen this. I know
it happens
suddenly –
huge dark green
leaves as big as fans,
and star-shaped, creamy flowers.
Written at the end of Winter, here in the Southern Hemisphere, for dVerse Quadrille #15: Leaves, a prompt inspired by the approach of Autumn, or 'Fall', in the Northern Hemisphere – which does equally well for the approach of Spring here.
This is also doing duty for day 30 of #awakeaugust, a month of 'small stones' (mindful writings focusing on the external world). The others are at my 'Stones for the River' blog.
You had me at the title, Rosemary. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat is some title :) Yes we will be ushering in Autumn leaves and you the spring buds and leaves of spring. Leaves as big as fans, a lovely image to behold.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem Rosemary. I certainly never thought of frangipani as being deciduous!
ReplyDeleteVery much so, I'm afraid – but it is wonderful how quickly it gets covered again, and how long the foliage and flowers last in this warm climate
DeleteGreat poem. Love the imagery.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely...and a GREAT title!
ReplyDeleteNice. Sudden. I'm a big fan.
ReplyDeleteOh I can understand this as well, the leaves unleaving in your spring... Frangipani sounds so lovely and exotic
ReplyDeleteGosh the images here are to die for! ❤
ReplyDeleteI should fine a frangipani for my garden - what poetry can do!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Rosemary, that's a wonderful title. I've never seen a frangipani. I love the way your poem illustrates the before and after, the blossoming of the tree.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful specimen in all seasons and with autumn you have that to look forward to. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I am very much looking forward to Spring, which is just around the corner, not only for the flowers but also the warmth!
DeleteWonder what caused it to act that way. One would have thought Winter is more appropriate to be bare!
ReplyDeleteHank
Well yes we are just coming to the end of Winter, here in Australia. The buds and new life will begin in the Spring which fast approaches.
DeleteTo wait for leaves..
ReplyDeleteBliss when first twig breeds
a Bud to open Beauty..
ah.. but to
Love
the Twig
as home
of liFe dArk..
Green to come..
is to never be alone..
as DArk of TwiG beComes
FriEnd of liGht and liFE sAMeallone..
and sure this could be a Budweiser
commercial too.. but wHo cares as
iDrInks
of NatUre
Twig and Leave...
liGht and dARk..
SHades of Grey
Full and New moon SAMe..
Hues of color.. never land forever more
never
ending
StoRy..
oF TWiGliGht
NoW.. sAMe..:)
And you're heading into spring, aren't you!
ReplyDeleteThat's right! Some readers were confused, so I have now made this clearer in the note under the poem.
DeleteI like the journey from nothing to something here. Just goes to show - don't judge a poem by its title. :-) :-)
ReplyDelete~Imelda
A wind of words captured a picture. Thank you for this treat
ReplyDeleteFrangipani is a wonderful word...and there's real beauty in the "deeply waiting"!
ReplyDeleteLove your hopeful piece. Your poem doesn't mourn that it's winter, but anticipates the spring.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up "frangipani images" -- beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful metaphor.
Enjoy spring :)
Had to google...what a beautiful tree this is in bloom, but I can also see the beauty in it's bare bones and how it longs for Spring. You've captured that well.
ReplyDeleteFab poem. Great for us in the northern hemisphere to be reminded that spring will come back eventually.
ReplyDelete