| Author | Message | ||
| Chuck Levenstein
Valued Member Username: chucklev Post Number: 181 Registered: 12-2001 |
Green Mutterings The plants are doing reasonably well, the spiked cactus re-planted in a pottery fishhead is flourishing, the penis-form succulent is spawning balls and tumors that were unexpected but which make it much more easily displayed in public -- (This for the Freudians and feminists stunned by the Washington Monument or who wonder about the shape of missile defense) Another cactus abducted in the Caribbean islands is not happy, its ears droop, green juices sucked from the body by local horticultural draculae; I’ve tried clipping the ears, posting them in windows, giving them the best of winter sun -- (You would think that dessert bloom would appreciate kindness, but no, they keep muttering “Guantanamo” and I blush.) The haiku spruce tree won in an internet poetry contest is gone, although the books I bought are prominently displayed and I have not told the donor it was a mistake, items of delicacy and cultivation should not be entrusted to half-educated philistines. (Do you wonder if the Japanese have re-armed fully, refusing to rely on Zen to undermine the will of competitors and prey?) Jade trees thrive, the crawling hens and chickens raise their heads for an occasional peek, everything evolved to withstand neglect and ignorance is ok, only the lily is despondent and a leafy tree purchased in a moment of enthusiasm succumbed to a dreadful fungus. (You were worried that I would be bored in retirement! I read newspapers, but prefer proper algae, distill what I can from that -- ) Chuck http://www.niederngasse.com http://chucklit.blogspot.com http://hartfordgazette.blogspot.com | ||
| Christopher T George
Senior Member Username: chrisgeorge Post Number: 3879 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hello Chuck An unusual poem commenting on horticulture, Freudian imagery, and world affairs all at the same time. Clever and entertaining stuff. Bravo, Chuck. No nits. IBPC and publication quality. Chris Editor, Desert Moon Review http://www.desertmoonreview.com/ Co-Editor, Loch Raven Review http://www.lochravenreview.com/ http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/ | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 2529 Registered: 08-2003 |
Perfecto Chuck (though I might end before the last two lines). I loved the juxtaposition of plants and politics. So much here to love and linger over. E | ||
| Chuck Levenstein
Valued Member Username: chucklev Post Number: 186 Registered: 12-2001 |
Thanks Chris and E -- I was thinking of this as a letter, which is the "justification" for the last two lnes. Also, the awful pun "proper ganda" transmuted to "proper algae" -- difficult to pass up an opportunity! Chuck http://www.niederngasse.com http://chucklit.blogspot.com http://hartfordgazette.blogspot.com | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 6400 Registered: 11-1998 |
The best parts of this for me, Chuck, were the parenthetical interjections. They made me smile, particularly this one: "(You would think that dessert bloom would appreciate kindness, but no, they keep muttering “Guantanamo” and I blush.)" Very witty look at horiculture. I'm not usually much for plant poems, but this one kept me entertained. Thanks. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 3836 Registered: 07-2002 |
Chuck--Love this piece. It would be wonderful to hear aloud. (hint, hint. . .)  In addition to the wonderful parentheticals, this line stood out to me: items of delicacy and cultivation should not be entrusted to half-educated philistines. Wonderful stuff here! best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog | ||
| M. Kathryn Black
Senior Member Username: kathryn Post Number: 2987 Registered: 09-2002 |
Chuck, I loved this--so many wonderful little tidbits and details to mull over. Best, Kathryn |
