Sunday, April 5, 2015

Frangipani: Plumeria rubra

Frangipani: Plumeria rubra
Frangipani: Plumeria rubra

Frangipani by M. T. C. Cronin


for Jane Sanders

Where should I put my feet
when these flowers which look like the icing
from cakes are lining the street?
How can I stop my eyes
from swelling with their poisonous syrup
after scooping with my hands
their wrong love perfume
to my foolish face?
Truly,
children keep inverting my life -
the seed are 'aerial parts of the plant' -
and though none are mine
they are hurtful and guilty, selfish
as if they belonged inside
my heart
Yet tiredly,
and conscientiously, sadly,
I keep dragging them up before their judges
as if those grandfathers, those trees,
had the ability to understand
what has never been confronted -
when I walk among them
the branches never bend to touch my face
and I, too, step all over
whatever sweetness is beneath me.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Lantana: Lantana camara


Lantana: Lantana camara
Lantana: Lantana camara

Lantana Poem by Juan Olivarez


Lantana blooms out in the wild,
In beautiful colors to please the eye.
It's blossoms never go out of style,
As they turn their faces to the sky.

Lantana's leaves are forest green,
And adorn the spiny stems with grace.
All around honey bees can be seen,
As around the plant they seem to race.

Pink with black, orange and red,
Any gardener worth his pay,
Would dream of these colors in his bed,
And plant lantana every day.

9/2/10 Alton Texas

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Santan: Ixora coccinea

Ixora coccinea
Red Santan

santan flower by Regina Bowler


four soft petals
four japanimated points.

then the stem translucent, almost anemic
but i am not deceived.
though it is
so thin you must hold it with two fingers only,
it won't break.
you hold it that way so you don't drop it
and lose your treasure for the day.

you taste the nectar
one clear, delicate drop
the sugar water makes you smile
and for a little while longer
you are not a spoiled, nasty little girl.

Hibiscus: rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus: rosa-sinensis
Hibiscus: rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus Flowers. Poem by Bernard Shaw

Hibiscus Flowers where ever I look,
Reds and blues and the pretty white,
Freshly taken from a picture book,
They fill me with great delight.
Indoor Hibiscus Flowers delicate yellow,
Potted plants in my snug flat,
Great beauty that turns me mellow,
To all Gardeners I take off my hat.
The hibiscus is a flower to please,
Grown in a warm and temperate clime.
Reds, blues and whites do tease,
With glowing colours so sublime.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Plumbago or Leadwort: Plumbago auriculata

Plumbago or Leadwort (Plumbago auriculata)
Blue Plumbago or Leadwort (Plumbago auriculata)
“Now," those Plumbago lips say, "You are going to tell me your story like you just did. Write it all down. Tell that story over and over. Tell me your sad-assed story all night." That Brandy queen points a long bony finger at me.

"When you understand, " Brandy says, "that what you're telling is just a story. It isn't happening anymore. When you realize the story you're telling is just words, when you can crumble it up and throw your past in the trashcan," Brandy says,"then we'll figure out who you're going to be.”