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Garden Personalities

Garden Personalities

In the garden after dark
Taking in the peaceful quiet
Listening to the flowers talk
In the soft twilight

Daisies gossip outrageously
And giggle quite inanely
The Chrysanthemums whisper
Gossiping insanely

The Sorrel is quite religious
With folded hands to pray
While Four O'clocks are sleeping
Snoring the night away

The Roses stand there smugly
Sneering at them all
But don't make them angry
Their thorns aren't so small

The Primrose stands alone
A proper flower is she
With ne'er a cross word
Every inch a lady

Carnations dance quietly
As Fireflies fly and flicker
While a couple of weedy Thistles
Loudly argue and bicker

The Honeysuckle furtively
Make plans to take over
While the Ladyslipper flirts
With the blooming clover

You thought a garden restful
Something to soothe and please
But intrigues run rampant
Among those flowery leaves

— Rett, Nov 11, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Southern Texas, USA

Favorite Poets: Dickenson, Longfellow

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Critiques

infinite_dwarf

infinite_dwarf

17 years 7 months ago

Rett

Very different, indeed! I likey! Couple suggestions, though: Chrysantemums needs another 'h'. "And lord it over all" - I see what you're trying to say here, but it just doesn't flow very nice. Your garden sounds great! Tell the Ladyslipper to stop doin' the hanky-panky with the clover! LOL! ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."
Rett

Rett

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks Jess

for the comment and the critique. I corrected that error and mad a few more changes to the roses line. I hope that helps. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
infinite_dwarf

infinite_dwarf

17 years 7 months ago

good revision

Sneering roses.... way cool! Yes, it does work out better. ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."
L

Lonnie

17 years 7 months ago

Briliant, Rett!

Don't believe I'll ever look at a garden the same again! You've shown it's secret side with love, and a whimsical candor like only a true poet can! Bravo!
Rett

Rett

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks Lonnie

You just never know what will pop into and out of a poets brain. Glad you liked it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Rett

Rett

17 years 7 months ago

Sorry Janice. *G*

I am glad I made you smile. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Linda Moses

Linda Moses

17 years 7 months ago

Rett

I loved this one, reminded me of Alice in Wonderland.
Rett

Rett

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you Linda

Wonder if I smoked the caterpillar's hookah or ate a piece of the mushroom? Can't seem to remember.. *chuckle* Glad you enjoyed it Linda. Thanks a lot. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Janice Pearce

Janice Pearce

17 years 6 months ago

Garden Personalities

Rett, I too, will never look at a flower garden quite the same. It is different, and I like it! _____________________________ To write a touching poem, you must gently stir the soul, if it brings forth tears or smiles, then the story was beautifully told. ________Janice Pearce_________
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thank you Janice

Glad you liked it. I have a restless mind that tends to go looking at something in a different way and always looking for something different to write about. Just beware of the honeysuckle, it is a subversive. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Barbara Writes

Barbara Writes

17 years 6 months ago

Different Yes

I love this beautiful Garden. Next time i see a garden will probably see flowers talking and dancing. LOL Only one word I am not sure of *inanely* Otherwise it is flawless. Respectfully Yours, Barbara
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thanks Barbara

I appreciate it. I chose inanely because of the meaning and the rhyme. absurdly just wouldn't work and they mean app. the same thing. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thank you Richard

Never know what is gonna grow around here do we? *LOL* Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
infinite_dwarf

infinite_dwarf

17 years 6 months ago

Needed a laugh....

And came back to this poem. You should do one about a veggie garden! ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thanks my friend, warms the heart

to think I brought a smile. A veggie garden huh? Hmmm, could be interesting with all the sweet peaing going on. *LOL* Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Eduardo Cruz

Eduardo Cruz

17 years 6 months ago

Veggie,

veggies I know, especial mushrooms, Boiled and drank while it's still warm, had some on an Indian reservation in Oklahoma, now that was talking to the veggies! Sorry Rett to intrude on your poem. Eddie "do like the once barren tree: flourish and like the planted seed: rise" Jose De Diego
Barbara Writes

Barbara Writes

17 years 6 months ago

Rett

I can not think of a more deserving spotlight poem than this. Awesome different imagination. Respectfully Yours, Barbara
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Awwww, you're sweet Barbara

Thank you very much. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thanks DeadPurple

I'm Weird huh? *LOL* Glad you got a grin from it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
Eduardo Cruz

Eduardo Cruz

17 years 6 months ago

Rett,

I don't know anything of flowers, but I know how to grow concrete. LOL this poem reminded me of a trip I took on acid in the early 70's, in Central Park. oh did the the flowers speak, they won't shut up. I left never to trip in the park again. This was very interesting to me! It was a lesson in horticulture, is that the right word. hell I should just look it up. to lazy maybe tomorrow. thanks, Eddie "do like the once barren tree: flourish and like the planted seed: rise" Jose De Diego
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

I gotcha beat man

I made the bad bad bad mistake of going to the movies and seeing Walt Disney's Fantasia on Orange Sunshine...That nearly put me over the edge man! WHOAH! Glad you got a kick out of it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
P

prayersbyPatty

17 years 6 months ago

Congrats on the spotlight

I liked how you put human emotion into the flowers that we cannot hear talk. Wonder what that big ole sunflower is saying? Snooty roses, very imaginative, really cool. Far out man. Congrats on the spotlight. Patty
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thanks Patty

*LOL* I appreciate it. I never thought about the sunflower although he is probably a seedy character that you might want to be careful of. Glad you got a kick out of it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
B

barbsdad2003

17 years 6 months ago

Now you've made me ...

all hungry inside. I eat thistles, roses ... and sorrel, too. Thanx for a delicious write. Chuck PS: I also eat touch-me-nots, but then that's not relevant to your delightful piece ... since you don't include them. (Sorry for mentioning such a thing.)
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

*ROFLOL*

Sorry to personalize your food Chuck. Glad you enjoyed it. BTW, how do touch-me-nots taste? Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008
B

barbsdad2003

17 years 6 months ago

As part ...

of a stingy salad, they're delicious. I haven't tried eating them all by themselves, preferring to give them kindred-plant companionship before my teeth tear them to shreds. Yum-yum! Growl-growl! (I growl to warn off those who want me to share.) Yours, Chuck
P

pinksheep

17 years 6 months ago

This

is incredible , so different , so so so!
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thanks Pinksheep

Once in a while a fossilized old brain thinks of something different. *LOL* Glad you liked it. Respectfully, Rett: "Did you ever notice that the government officials who want to ban gun ownership are the very ones that should be shot anyway?" Rett: 2008
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

*LOL* Thanks Jess

Flashbacks still happen man. Glad you liked it. Respectfully, Rett: "Did you ever notice that the politicians who want to ban gun ownership are the very ones that should be shot anyway?" Rett: 2008
RSScheerer

RSScheerer

17 years 6 months ago

Scrolling to the bottom

to make a comment just sucks! Then I have to scroll up and down relentlessly to read and be sure I'm commenting in the right place! Grrrr! *stomps foot uselessly* I love the entire idea of the garden coming to life. The 4 o'clocks got me. We had them in a corner garden by the house where I grew up, and I haven't seen any since - or heard them mentioned, until now. The only thing I see, besides the aforementioned "h" is "smuggly" should be spelled "smugly" - but it keeps making me laugh with the two "g's" because it's got me thinking "snuggly" which definitely doesn't fit with the stanza and.......I'm blathering, aren't I? LOL At any rate, love this as much as I love my gardens. Nice writing, sir! ~ Ronda
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

The case of the disapearing h!

Calling Nancy Drew, someone keeps stealing my H! Dang it to H, that blasted H. *LOL* Thanks Ronda, fixing said problems. Can't figure out where that dang H gets off to. Glad you liked it. BTW Ronda, you want 4 o'clocks? I can give you 4 o'clocks. Dang things are pernicious! a few seeds planted and the following year you have 2-3 times as many as the year before! *LOL* Respectfully, Rett: "Did you ever notice that the politicians who want to ban gun ownership are the very ones that should be shot anyway?" Rett: 2008
Rett

Rett

17 years 6 months ago

Thank you Nature

Glad you liked it and enjoyed the play on words too. See what you miss when you go to sleep? *LOL* Respectfully, Rett: "Did you ever notice that the politicians who want to ban gun ownership are the very ones that should be shot anyway?" Rett: 2008
M

meic

17 years 1 month ago

Thanks for the link.

Thanks for the link. You've probably had every complimentary comment given already [above] ... all are thoroughly deserved since it is a beautifully composed piece of poetic personification, and well worthy of spotlighting. To keep the ball rolling so to speak: you've [here] projected human characteristics onto flowers, in the poem linked below I attempted the converse. http://www.neopoet.com/node/5191 Hwyl fawr [Cheers - Welsh] Mike "not all matterings of mind equal one violet" ~ e e cummings ~