my fingers trace / against the stone
my flowers do die; ephialtes / in the
shadows of
/ a deathbed /
baby’s breath / a dream
/ threnody / & breast
my flowers die
in my garden,
/ mouthing /
pseudo-ashes
of the moonrise.
© 2020 lucysworks.com All Rights Reserved.
This piece was inspired by Jacked Up by Weezer.
Written for the dVerse prompt: “Let’s hop into the garden of words and write a quadrille, a poem of exactly 44 words, excluding title, that uses any form of the word GARDEN.”
I dearly hope you enjoyed the read. I thank you so much.
99 responses to “my flowers do die.”
Sometimes I think the only thing more somber than wilted flowers are white lilies in bloom.
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Oh, yes, you are exactly right. They are pretty somber, aren’t they? They carry the association of grief and death greatly, but they are beautiful flowers.
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This is beautiful Lucy. I had to look up threnody- thank you for the new word.
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Thank you! ❤
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I like the repetition…reminding us of how fragile our gardens and our lives are. This is especially hauntingly beautiful…”mouthing pseudo-ashes of the moonrise”.
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Thank you so much, Mish. Indeed, gardens are very fragile as is life–that is very true. Thank you for your kindness and feedback. It’s much appreciated! ❤
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Doesn’t the garden lend itself to such powerful metaphors such as yours, Lucy. The final two lines give pause for metaphysical questioning. An undertone of sadness here.
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Thank you so much, Victoria, for your kind words and for the dVerse prompt today. I really had fun with it. There is definitely an undertone of sorrow in this piece, perhaps grief for the self or it is manifested through the flowers. Thank you for your thoughts! ❤
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I also like the repetition….the juxtapositioning of baby’s breath and a dream….I find it very melancholy.
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Thank you so much. ❤
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I agree with Mish, your last line is killer. You’ve created a dark world, chaotic, lament & nightmares; not a place where blossoms flourish–a metaphor for elusive happiness in these dark times.
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Thank you very much, Glenn! That’s an excellent analysis and I agree with your interpretation on my poem. Darkness is prevalent especially as happiness escapes further away; the lament is just right there to see. A true living nightmare, as you describe. Thank you for your thoughts and feedback. 😀
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This is absolutely phenomenal, Lucy! 💝 So much to love especially; “pseudo-ashes of the moonrise.” Inspired 🙂
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Aww, thank you dearly. I’m so glad you think that. ❤ You’re too kind!
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What more can I add to what’s already been said. 👏🏻
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Aww, thank you so much! 🙂
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Dead flowers are sad, and wilted flowers are often used as a symbol of mourning. With the recent 75th anniversary of dropping the atom bomb on Hiroshima, that’s what your last lines make me think of–the mushroom cloud, the dust flowers. . .
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Thank you for your feedback. I did not have Hiroshima in mind with this, but that’s a brilliant connection on how those lines could be relative to the tragedy.
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I think this is one of my favourites of yours. It feels like a lost soul wandering through a graveyard, finding the flowers laid on the tombs, all faded, all gone.
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Thank you so much. That makes me happy to hear that. 💜 It does indeed have references to grief and mourning.
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you expressed your angst well, sorry you are struggling with this … meanwhile your talent blooms and thrives!
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Thank you so, so much Kate. 💙 Angst. That’s a good word to describe my poetry, actually.
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yes and it resonates thru with the beauty, very dualistic in most of your work.
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Ah, yes flowers do die and pass on… be sure to save the seeds of new life for next year! Same is true in our relationships. Keep the dream alive….
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Yes, that is true! Thank you so much. 😃
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Very nicely done!
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Thank you!
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Moody and brooding, yet so classical abd beautiful.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine Lucy
Much✏love
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Aww, thank you Gillena. You’ve made my day today, my face is lit up with a smile. Thank you dearly.
And anytime. You write so beautifully. 💖
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Like all good things that end too soon.
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Thank you. 💗
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You nailed it again… Amazing penning! I just had to leave a comment. ❤
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Thank you so much. ❤ ❤
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I see the daffodils dancing in mirth….untouched by human ambition….the smoky clouds of ashes invade the azure soul of a romantic sky….both to evaporate into oblivion…time smiles…derides….life lies lifeless beneath love, roses, dreams and desires….
Touched by your wonderful feelings and rich poetic expression…
My regards
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Well written quadrille that is also thought-provoking. Nicely done.
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Thank you! 😊
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“…psuedo-ashes / of the moonrise…”
This, especially, I admire. Love how this moves, Lucy!
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Thank you, Ron! 😊 I’m overjoyed to hear that.
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I enjoyed this very much – a garden haunted by sadness, but beautiful nonetheless!
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Thank you! 🥰
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A wonderful poem about the cycles of life. I enjoyed reading.
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Thank you, Bill!
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You’re welcome, Lucy.
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your writing is epic. such eloquent and graceful phrases, Lucy!
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Aww, thank you so much. 🥰
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The lightness of flowers, the heaviness of mortality: blended together so seamlessly! Beautifully done!
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Thank you, Frank! You summed up the poem very well. 😃
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🙂
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Do you know the other name for Nigella is Baby’s breath? I’ve always thought it was a creepy sort of name, now I know why.
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That does sound creepy! Christ.
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I’ve looked it up for a picture and I find I’m wrong. Baby’s breath is Gypsophila, Nigella is also called Devil in a bush and Love in a mist, take, your pick. I bet you’ll take Devil in a bush 🙂
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Oh, those are intriguing names (Devil in a bush and Love in a mist). Though, you are right, I’d take Devil in a bush in a heartbeat. Hahaha. It sounds intriguing–might have to use that in a future poem. 😁
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Devil in a bush sort of looks right, but I’m wondering what kind of devil they are thinking of…
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Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but maybe deviled eggs? 😄
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That’s a strange idea too. How do you ‘devil’ an egg?
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Honestly, I have no idea. I just looked it up now and they’re also called stuffed eggs. I guess the name adds an appeal or there is more background there? It is indeed strange.
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I suppose it depends what you stuff them with. Semtex might be worth a try 🙂
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That would definitely be pretty explosive! 🙂
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🙂
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I love pseudo ashes of moonrise. So …poetic 🙂
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Thank you so much. 😀
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Beautifully written (and I love when I’m sent to the dictionary).
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Aww, thank you so much!
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I interpret this piece as having a “dying beginning” theme.
From the relation of an infant to flowers, is as fragility of smallest life before it becomes something able to fend for itself. Though, like an infant, a flower remains still, until fed with nutrients. Both the flower and the infant wait. Yet, it is like life, where every person also waits for death, perhaps subconsciously.
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Oh, that is SUCH an awesome interpretation. You always pick out the deepest meaning in my work and I just love that. You think of themes that I have not even thought of! With this piece, your take is very applicable (I think each meaning is, by the way, it’s all subjective) to what I had in mind in some areas. I always enjoy the connection between life and death–but then there’s that in-between of that journey. With this poem, I had the inspiration more with emotional strife and internal conflict as it references the narrator’s grief on not being able to keep their flowers alive.
Thank you so, so much for your thoughts and feedback. I enjoy reading them dearly. ❤
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Intense, powerful, beautiful & fragile at the same time…..
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Oh, thank you so much, Navin. ❤
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You’re welcome, Lucy ❤️
Hey a new FYI,
I’m requesting you to check the below link & please write your comment. Previously I had contacted you to re-follow me after I migrated my site as my followers (including yourself) weren’t receiving the notification when I was publishing the post. Unfortunately, the issue hasn’t been resolved yet & this is my last try.
Please do mention in your comment / feedback that you did not receive any notification (if you haven’t) and I’ve personally contacted you with the link to read my post, such that WP can read & hopefully troubleshoot the issue. Your feedback will help me in taking the decision.
Thank you kindly in advance 🙏✨
https://navinspoems.com/are-you-receiving-any-notifications/
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Navin, that is true I have not been receiving notifications from your site. I will leave a comment shortly on your post.
Also, you said you migrated your website to a new host domain? The WP support could have transferred your followers over after you migrated your content from your previous hosting site. It’s often a lot of trouble to move your website on a different hosting domain. It’s a pain and it could really screw up a lot of things. I’ve read the horror stories. 😦
So sorry you’re going through that notification issue, though. I read your post and will leave a comment soon.
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Thanks a lot dear Lucy….this is exactly what has happened to my blog…I really regret taking thus decision to migrate…coz I wanted to use the features to the fullest….I’ve been playing the ping-pong (I’m the ball) with WP & Dreamhost since last 2 months or more….now I’ve reached to that level, where I can’t handle the frustration anymore….so that’s y I’m gathering the feedback & will give my last shot to show WP & Dreamhost…that the problem hasn’t been fixed….if they can’t fix it, then I’ll close my current site & create a new one….I don’t want to loose followers like you…you’re too important to me….thanks for understanding & sharing 🙏❤️
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Oh, Navin, that sounds like hell to deal with. I just left a comment on the post. I’m hoping they’ll be able to fix it for you too, but as I said, whichever route you choose, we’re all here.
You’re a fantastic writer and I’m fortunate to have you as my poet friend. It’s such a shame that this is happening to you and your website. If you do create a new one, I’d like you to let me know; I will write a post about it and hopefully, you can gain some of your readers back and even new followers as well.
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That’s so kind of you dear Lucy….thank you very much my dear poet friend….I’m close to in tears….touched by your words….I’ll definitely let you know whenever I know more myself….if they can fix it or I shut navinspoems.com & create a new site….Dear Lucy, I’m whole heartedly thankful & very touched….2 months of constant communication with them & frustration is soon going to end….from the support of you & other blogger friends ❤️🙏
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Hey Lucy, pls do remember to leave your comment here…..it’s quite important & valuable to me….❤️✨🙏
https://navinspoems.com/are-you-receiving-any-notifications/
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I did, Navin. No worries. 🙂 Perhaps it got in spam?
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Hey, good you wrote that. I’ve just checked the spam folder & I found your comment. Thx dear 🙏
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❤
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Ephialtes, threnody and ”mouthing pseudo-ashes of the moonrise”. A lamentation so lush in its fragility.
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Aww, thank you. 🙂
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Love those last two lines, Lucy. You have taught me two new words – thanks!
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Thank you for reading this piece. ❤ ❤ So glad you enjoyed it.
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YOWZA TO YOUR CREATIVITY!
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Thank you so much! ❤
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
LUCY’S BLOG FOLLOWERS LOVE HER—SEE THE COMMENTS POSTED FOR THE ORIGINAL! ❤
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Aww, I thank you so, so much! That’s very sweet of you to say. ❤ ❤
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❤ 😀
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Truly lovely, Lucy. Nature has so much to teach in the cycles of the seasons. A contemplative poem. ❤
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Thank you so much, D. 🥰 Your feedback means a lot!
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I see the daffodils dancing in mirth….untouched by human ambition….the smoky clouds of ashes invade the azure soul of a romantic sky….both to evaporate into oblivion…time smiles…derides….life lies lifeless beneath love, roses, dreams and desires….
Touched by your wonderful feelings and rich poetic expression…
My regards
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Thank you so much Saibal for your epically poetic comment. It touched my heart deeply and I am beyond happy you enjoyed this piece. ❤
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Thanks for checking out my blog recently!
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Anytime! Thank you for checking out mine as well.
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Poignant shadows flickering with existentialist apparitions. Lovely. And as the great Weezer says: “Only In Dreams.”
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Thank you so much!
And yes, Weezer! I love that song. Are you also a fan of their music?
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You’re very welcome. Yes I absolutely adore 6 of their songs, that one and Say It Ain’t So, In The Garage, Holiday, Suzanne, and You Gave Your Love To Me Softly. 😉 Weeze on my wayward son, they told me.
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Those songs are awesome! I really love Jacked Up, Do You Wanna Get High, Tragic Girl, and Say It Ain’t So.
We Weezes got to stick together!
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Weezer Poets Of The Cosmos Unite!
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Stunning piece
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Thank you, Devika!
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My pleasure:)
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