Laura Shovan has created a February poetry challenge again, this time with found objects. You can read her introduction here at her new website. It is fun and it is a challenge. Be sure to read today's entries at Matt Forrest Esenwine's post today at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme here.
Matt shared the picture for today's found object. I'm sharing my response today for Poetry Friday, although most of the days, I share with everyone on the daily post by Laura and others.
Early Valentine’s Day
I rose early to go to the garden
for a breakfast harvest,
without the distraction of the kids.
Pants quickly wet from the dew,
I leaned into ripening tomatoes,
inhaling that tangy, piney scent,
the only one they know. Perhaps
it protects their sweeter taste?
They were falling over,
heavy red-ripened jewels.
There, among that rich roundness, this love apple.
The mist had blown off with the sun,
and I returned to the house,
lay my heart upon the bed,
pursed my lips for a kiss.
Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved
"pursed my lips for a kiss"
ReplyDeleteOh, it does look like that!
Don't you just love the smell of tomatoes on the vine...like geraniums and marigolds. Such a "tangy, piney scent".
So fun, Donna, I almost said "geraniums", think the scent is very similar. I know that planting marigolds by certain plants keep insects away, so wonder, as I said, if this scent helps too. Thanks.
DeleteI love this line too..."pursed my lips for a kiss." These are the days I wish I were retired so I had more time to write.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jone. This month I know it will take a lot of time for Laura's challenge. But it is also fun and good to do.
DeleteWhat wonderful sensory details. I can smell those tomato vines! Love the reference to Valentine's Day :).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama, everything is hearts lately!
DeleteLinda, I read your poem several times at the different sites and am trying to recall the big, juicy tomatoes in my Nonnie's garden when I was a little girl scrambling around the vegetables. Piney scent-don't remember that but it conjures up a new aroma for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol, glad it took you to a special place.
DeleteCarol, now you are going to have to go to a farmers' market or to the grocery store and find some of those tomatoes on the vine, and snuggle them up to your nose! People will think you are weird and you may be forced to buy them then, but you will get the smell!
DeleteThanks for the tip on how to get that piney smell, Donna.
DeleteI love the references to the love apple and the kiss. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz, the found objects are quite interesting to see what comes to mind when we look.
DeleteAs others have said, great description of the scent of vine-ripe tomatoes. Funny ending smooch. I am trying to keep up with the daily challenges. I hope I can keep this momentum.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret. I hope you'll continue, too. You've added some creative poems to the mix.
DeleteMy mouth waters at the memory of "heavy red-ripened jewels" that only come from the garden. 'Love'ly poem, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bridget, I love tomatoes so that part was easy.
DeleteGreat details, Linda! Those damp pants, the smells. You really ran with this prompt.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's rather interesting what a picture can do for inspiration, isn't it?
DeleteYour ending is positively divine, Linda. My senses are all in a tizzy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. Hope you're thinking summer & tomatoes!
DeleteLove that ending, Linda! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doraine, a pleasure to write this one.
Delete" ... heavy red ripened jewels, ... rich roundness, this love apple," Oh, your words make me long for summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona. I too thought of summer as I was out shoveling heavy snow this morning.
DeleteJust delicious all around, Linda! Great job putting all our senses to work (& echoing praise for that last line). Happy February
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn, Happy February to you too!
DeleteThis is lovely, Linda! As others have mentioned, the sensory details in the poem are wonderful. I love the idea of the piney scent protecting their sweeter taste.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, thank you. Perhaps I should have looked it up, but I know that some scents "protect" in that way.
DeleteSo much to love about this poem, Linda - most of all the way it conjures up the delights of summer ripe tomatoes. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara, it was very fun to write once I saw the "heart".
DeleteYum! I can't wait for summer produce!!
ReplyDeleteI know, this picture made us all wishing earlier than usual. Thanks, Mary Lee.
DeleteOh, now I want to walk out into my garden and pick a ripe tomato. Thank you for the glimpse of summer to come.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, fun to anticipate, right?
DeleteSuch a luscious poem. Love the line: "heavy red-ripened jewels."
ReplyDeleteThank you, Violet. As I said several times above, I enjoyed writing very much.
DeleteI am in love with those last five lines - such lush imagery that ended so aptly with the pursed lips. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Myra. I'm glad you like them!
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