“I Dug Up the Iris” by Guest Poet Liane Ellison Norman
Dorothy's iris photographed May 27, 2010 after tea together on her back porch
I Dug Up the Iris
in Dorothy’s garden
to plant in the soaked
soil of mine, memorial
to her each spring
when they’ll open
complicated ruffles
and flourishes, purple
or blue with speckled
throats. They’ll rise
out of rhizomes
sprawling at soil’s
surface like the joints
of my old hands
anchoring the tall
stalks and frilly petals.
This morning
in the brief breath
of cool I dug shallow
trenches for this legacy,
this pantry of pollens
the bees prospect,
insects with lives
beyond what the mere
gardener knows.
Liane Ellison Norman, a Madwoman in the Attic, has published two books of poetry, The Duration of Grief and Keep (www.smokeandmirrorspress.com). She has published poems in 5AM, Kestrel, North American Review, Grasslimb, Rune, Voices from the Attic anthologies and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Her poem “What There’d Been” won the Wisteria Prize in 2006 from Paper Journey Press.
what a great poem
July 22, 2010 at 7:13 am
Both poem and photo are beautiful!
July 22, 2010 at 7:18 am
I love the colors.
July 22, 2010 at 7:55 am
perfect ……. photo, poem….and list-poem …… oooxxxxx
July 22, 2010 at 9:21 am
I love the capture of color.
July 22, 2010 at 9:43 am
Inspiring!
July 22, 2010 at 10:02 am
Thank you, Liane and Ruth,for this lovely poem and gesture.
July 22, 2010 at 11:03 pm
I miss her too. As I read through your blog I still look for her comment, her name, her way. Thanks for sharing.
July 25, 2010 at 8:39 am