* Flower of the Holy Night

[Suz-zen]

It pains me still
throwing out old poinsettias
in January
once alive with Christmas
crumbled leaves have now fallen
on a table of 'jingle shell'
emphasizing contrast of
reddish brown on translucent capiz

On their journey
like people I have known
in cold December
when the skies cry
no longer supple
or called burning flame-leaf

Come a New Year
they seem to have chosen
to suddenly
move on
where did they go
my flowers my friends

January is ending
I must let go the dead poinsettias
eyes weeping
surprise me
tears cannot bring anything to life

Oh February
make way for wild golden tulips
tipped with a dainty white
please bring me early Spring

[Suz-zen]

I wrote this just now as I was cleaning my house. Old poinsettias, a flower that I have always loved...they are ready to go. i have always had a difficult time letting them go. Now, it hit me that i have lost many people close to me in January. Today the connection hit hard. And this poem was the result. This past January a few more dear souls have gone on... Poem may need some work, but for now i will leave that for you fine poets to help me figure out. i have work to do here at home. Thank you!

[imrogue]

Very beautiful moving poem, Suz-zen! I' m so sorry to hear about your losses, though. To be on the hopeful side of things... Poinsettias may shed their beautiful red leaves and as long as it is not totally dried out, you may keep them in darker part of the house and water it moderately and it will come back with green leaves and hopefully will turn to red by December.... My mother have been successful reviving poinsettias. She collects them at the end of Holiday Season continues to nurture them to life.

[grant hayes]

This strikes me as of publishable stature, Suz-zen.

[Suz-zen]

thank you grant hayes I appreciate that. It felt pretty true as it came from my heart.... in there very deep.

[amenOra]

maybe trim articles like a an ... etc. remove punctuation, since theres already so few? i loved this! feel you.

[Suz-zen]

Thank you amenOra for the kind appraisal and the honest comments. If you have read any of my poems, I rarely use punctuation- did not even recall adding any. I will go back and see what the heck I did! thanks!!
Are you referring to 'an' in the last line? With a change to:
please bring early Spring?

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Oh my, as I read this beauty I was thinking - this is from the heart. Then I saw your comments to confirm. So poignantly beautiful Suz-zen. I'm sorry for your losses.

[Suz-zen]

Thank you RLW... they started so long ago to pas son in JAN and most recently this month. I almost ended the poem with one more stanza but it felt too dismal and I did not want to bring a crestfallen-ness to the piece... Nonetheless, here it is/was"
for I know
December will come soon bringing
red of poinsettias and tear-stained eyes

[The second]

Sue Zen, January is the absolute most depressing month in the calendar year for me, I have seen your leafless poinsettias

[Suz-zen]

I am sorry to hear @The second... only a few more days.... I hope that the thought of tulips may cheer you... when they arrive buy yourself some. They always help me.

[Bobby Del Boy]

Suz-zen this is soulfully beautiful. The likeness of friends as poinsettas and flowers make

[DWAYNE]

I agree with Mr. Hayes.

The metaphor is a powerful, emotive one.

It made me, at once sentimental, appreciative, reflective and hopeful.

A beautiful poem.

[Tony Grannell]

Hello Suz-zen, A melancholy journey into a new year, as the old year withers and dies. It's a raw sadness, the naked branches as one awaits the coming buds and sadly those who will never flower again. The greetings and goodbyes of a poetess's journey through the verses of life in this outstanding passage of poetic art. Excellent, truly. Regards, Tony.

[Suz-zen]

Hi Tony Grannell forgiv my tardy reply! I have been somewhat missing in 'inaction'. I thank you for your patience while my branches needed to wither a bit and now they feel warmth and new buds of Spring! I have a lot of catching up to do here.

[rhymetime]

I agree with all the beautiful words above. This work reads as though it flowed from the heart like a winter stream of melting snow runs from the high places toward the endless sea. Beautiful

PS: As Imrogue said, They can be saved. I have one that is 2 years old. But where is the poetry in that

[Suz-zen]

Thank you rhymetime! I am actually nursing one to salvation. Never knew it could be done. i have hope. Perhaps a poem there after all!? Time will tell...

[imrogue]

I am sure you can think of one rhymetime! 😊
and Suz-zen You'll be a good nurse to that one! 😊

[D.F.Russell]

I liked this, but the ending didn't seem to suit the rest... consider changing directions and using winter as a simile. The first part sets a mood very well and makes the reader feel something... have the ending to switch gears/dimensions and make the reader think or understand something... an insight/satori

I'll shutup now

[Suz-zen]

Thank you for reading and for the thoughtful comment...I hear what you are saying. How would do that ? Nothing comes to me though I understand your message.

[D.F.Russell]

It's been my experience that laying something down for awhile is often more productive than attempting to force something you don't feel. I keep notebooks and partially finished paintings... then flip back and forth.

Mushin no shin -- The modern equivalent is "The harder you look, the less you see."

[Suz-zen]

Thank you !! I do the same. Art projects. Collages. Poetry and the like! ABC... Always Be Creating.