Today’s prompt was to look for the names of paint or cosmetic colors and use them in a poem. I have two poems. As always, they are rough drafts. The first is another ‘massacre of suns‘ poem using the colors Peacock’s Tail and Thorny Branch.
tattered as a peacock’s tail
my rainbow hangs from a thorny branch
The next one uses Chopped Chives for its inspiration.
Chopped Chives
She lines up the green spears,
levels their cut ends
with the blunt edge of her knife
as she considers the latest bad news.
She makes the first cut,
sweeps the small pieces aside,
and how quickly it is done -
the once living still sweet herb
weeping clear drops
from its hollowness,
releasing its scent not of air
but of earth, not of rain
but of dew, not of flowers
and fruit but of root and stalk,
telling her how things are
close to the ground.
Tags: NaPoWriMo · Poetry · Read Write Poem8 Comments
Ooooo, these two are just perfect.
I can’t think of two more colorful images than a peacock’s tail and a rainbow — but because the tail is “tattered” and the “rainbow hangs from a thorny branch” the lines are devoid of any hint of flowery sentimentality.
The imagery in the “Chives” poem is so vivid one can see it, smell it, taste it. Also, “the latest bad news” followed by the “weeping” chives message — it really works.
Beautiful. The last line is just perfect.
What a refreshing pair of poems, terrific in terseness.
THE BEAST’S BLUFF
tattered always has interesting images as well as peacock feathers… and the rainbow well it’s just a shining beauty… enjoyed the blend… we can all relate to cutting chives and the scent but loved the emotion glued to the cut!
I love “she makes the first cut” and the last two lines.
That hint of bad news really makes the poem so much deeper than just cutting chives! I could smell the bad news!
Nice work.
I like the way you play with “not this, but this” throughout. I also love how that highlights the contrasts. And the last two lines? Brilliant!
Makes me want chives!
Great poem today.