plains coreopsis haiku-- an invitation for more poems about this flower&brick scene.

this plains coreopsis with its garnet-dipped center found its way growing toward sunlight in a planter near my porch steps since joining the soil from a box of wildflower seeds last year. it is one of my favorites from the batch.

community poetry one picture 

at a time -- a new concept

i am inviting the community to write their own poems (haiku or any kind of poem) stemming from the visuals of this picture. please feel free to share the news of this nice hey, everybody invite to others or send anything you feel in your writing-bones. i will update this blog post with new content as i receive any submissions from this audience on the interwebs. and i hope to launch these community poetry project efforts monthly but may use some leeway with that depending on what is in-season for photographing at certain times of year. and there's some time sensitivity with the next subject, which is still a surprise yet !

send your poems to poetrywithjenniferhetrick@yahoo.com, and be sure to include your poem's title, if it has one, as well as your name as you'd like it to appear in the crediting.

people who write poetry often, haven't written it in years, or never wrote it at all in the past-- are encouraged to submit a poem.

below are some initial poems which were submitted behind the scenes as starter content. thank you very much to everyone who offered poems and to those who will be sending freshly written ones soon.

edit: newly submitted poems are at the bottom. scroll down to eye-peruse new poetry.

Haiku By Ryan Marie Rettew of Pennsylvania

Well, tiny flower

your mother was unprepared.

Yellow shock of light.

*

Life’s Simile

By Maryann Neblock of Pennsylvania

        Is life not reflected in this photograph?

                this dichotomy of:

                hard and soft

                vivid and dull

A tender, fragile living thing amongst the sturdy, brick façade

Stand up! and grow where you can and flourish when you can

For, in the winter of our lives, we may cease to grow

If only to return anew in a dormant seed

                                                                    of hope

*

Summer 

By Yury Tulchinsky of New York

(haiku-love, again)

It blooms, full of life

gentle breeze in the summer

Plains Coreopsis

*

Pointing by Thumb

By Sam Traten of Pennsylvania

The package shouted Wildflower Mix.

I've always been one to pick the brown

paper grab bag, contents unknown, at charity

benefit booths. This box was like that,

contents unknown.

Careful to plant carelessly, no rows or patterns,

strewn in loosely stirred soil near the brick wall

at my home's side; tamped, watered, and

with a satisfied eyegleam almost wink,

I turn and walk away.

At first, I check frequently, daily (even hourly)

for signs of growth, always expecting magic,

then remembering magic appears, magically, when backs

are turned and other pressing chores are attended.

Now this little sunburst out of nowhere appears.

What is it?

Here's the real fun of a grab bag. Identify!

God made Google just for this.

Plains Coreopsis. You wild treasure, you.

*

Poem By Sydney Hetrick of New Jersey

Hello you wildflower,

your existence is a pleasure and quite rare indeed,

there was always a chance you would not grow,

but you did.

do you even know how wild you are, wildflower?

do you value the sun, the air, the water, the dirt?

and even if you only live for a season,

it shall be a lovely season for those passing by who watch you bloom. 

Thank you for existing, wildflower.

[ newly submitted poetry, hurrah. ]

Poem by Toby Smrekar of New Zealand

we trained together
until we grew
tall and lean
sparring in the summer sunshine
with our fists full of dreams
of dancing butterflies
and venomous bees. but in the night
he lost the fight
to what he could not see
and now i stand alone, above
for all eternity.


*


Bold and Beautiful
By Jane Stahl of Pennsylvania

Bold little beauty! I remember the kind of confidence you radiate today.

Look at you: standing tall and straight! 

And all by yourself, just bursting with pride, self-confidence, and energy. 

And how clever of you to choose to bloom in that particular spot!

The stony wall behind you—a solid and enduring structure, certainly—contrasts profoundly with your special mission—brightening the world around you in this very moment.

And at this moment, who can refrain from smiling at those in-your-face vibrant gold petals of yours?

But I suspect you’re not just a pretty face. The rich, dark center color of your petals suggests a depth of wisdom available to those young buds behind you waiting their turn to open and bloom.

I salute you, “plains coreopsis” and thank the glory of the Universe that put you in my path today. 

Today my own energy wanes. My confidence falters. 

I’ve packed away the hopes and dreams of sunnier youth. Worries and concerns crowd my consciousness along with the certainty that sunshine fades as summer’s days grow shorter. 

But for this moment, I will borrow your bright energy and reflect on the Spirit that informs it, for it endures forever. 


*


Sarah, A poem about a flower  (a prose poem)
By Joe Swider of Pennsylvania

Ordinarily, one would think of a flower any flower as something soft, delicate, and beautiful but that is not always the case. It was as if the Gods opened the gates of heaven and allowed this wonderful flower to grace, if for a brief moment, my world with her presence. Though not beautiful in any classical sense, the beauty projected by her presence was of the type that must be seen with the soul and not the eyes. This adventure of the heart took place many years ago, and my flower still remains inside of me, getting more and more attractive as my time passes. When this flower is thought of, it brings to mind water cascading down the side of a mountain or the calm after a storm, beautiful in its own way but not exactly delicate. I think this tribute to Sarah is so very long overdue, and like the flower, is meant to be shared with the other flowers in my existence.

Here's to you Sarah, wherever you may be. You nurtured things inside of me that have endured the test and trials of my time.


*


Poem by Barbara Tucker of Pennsylvania

Waking up, spreading out arms, 
tilting yellow-haloed face 
to the sun and waiting for my 
morning kiss. I am Coreopsis!


*


Coreopsis Haiku 
By Virginia Rathman of Pennsylvania

Oh coreopsis 
Was running with the wild ones
Received this dark eye


*


Coreopsis Haiku 'Heaven and Earth' 
By Ginny McNamara of Pennsylvania

The fearless flower,
held secure by Earth below,
reaches for the Sky.


*


A Touch of Heaven
By Patricia Petrowicz of Pennsylvania

A break in the sidewalk reveals a precious gift.
A delicate, colorful flower so skillfully and beautifully designed.
Who created this stunning marvel?
For what purpose?
Why here? Why now?

Will anyone stop to discover and ponder
The exceptional care and love that fashioned it?
Perhaps a freckle-faced child strolling aimlessly down the sidewalk
Or an old woman stooped over from a lifetime of toil
Will pause, examine, and appreciate the intricate handiwork.

Alas, many are far too busy.
Too distracted.
Too self-absorbed
To notice the gift and wonder about the giver.

Daily the creator provides touches of His glory as free gifts
Sometimes in the most unusual places or unlikely people.
Hints of his existence and creativity scattered throughout the universe.
Compelling little bits of evidence of a rich, delightful, now hidden afterlife

For all who choose to believe.


*


Wall Flowers
Kristen English of Pennsylvania 

Hey, don't forget us!
Stoic soldiers, straight we stand.
Wall flowers, we bricks.