The Myth of Narcissus

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Wed, 11 Mar 2015
  • 5222 reads
18 comments
 
Bathed in slanting, eggnog sunlight,
the red-stemmed dogwood stands erect
by a paling fence. Pallid shadows streak
corrugated fields and I grow impatient
for spring to turn them to oceans 
of rippling waves of green.   
 
At the top of the hill, a eucalyptus tree,
planted in haste, stakes a claim to this
my cherished land, when a native oak
would have done it so much more proud. 
In its stead a slender, piebald trunk 
misshapen by prevailing winds.
 
A cacophony of pheasants erupts – splitting  
my eardrums with their cackle, as they scoot 
to the nearby moor; a red kite circles overhead
riding the thermals. Frozen to the bone 
I lay down my fork and trowel, glancing up
at the pinkish tinge of a frost-boding sky.
 
Overhear a skylark, climbing the guy rope
of its song – invisible to the naked eye,
made of spider-silk, slowly unwinding
the higher it flies...a thread of melody
from field to skies, dying only
as it reaches the top...dips
and dives.
 
Pond-side, a joyfulness of narcissus insist 
on making their presence felt, punching on through
serried ranks of trenchant meadow grass. Spring 
has arrived and yet, but one tiny bud would dare
to open; quivering lips cupped in my hands,
each panted breath warming my palms...
quickening my heart. 
 
 
 
 
 
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Comments

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

This is really wondrous and truly beautiful. I cannot pick which bits I like best. Should it be 'overhead a skylark..' Whatever the rest of the line makes me truly jealous, lovely. Eggnog sunlight , corrugated fields.

Your poem is as beautiful as is the spring.

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hello there, Lindy.  Always a breath of spring to hear from you.  As for the overhead, or overheard, I did intend the latter, but I can certainly see what you meansmiley  I used 'overheard' deliberately, because I always feel I'm evesdropping on those beautiful creatures.  So delicate their melody, as if meant for the ears of angels, rather than us, mere mortals.

Tina

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Hi Tina, I see what you mean and 'overhear' is so much more subtle than 'overheard' That's why I don't write poetry.

Lindysad

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

And I don't often write stories, Lindy,  because I find the task more than daunting.  Having said that though, there is poetry in so many aspects of everday life in general, even in stories, sometimes, and as long as we all do what we enjoy, that is what countssmiley

 

 

Submitted by hilary west on

I love nature poetry so this was a delight to read. Liked the 'joyfulness of narcissus', I wonder if that is an accepted collective noun ?

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi hilary, pleased you enjoyed and many thanks for letting me know. 

As for my 'joyfulness of  narcissus' , I love concocting collective nouns, so I hope it isn'tsmiley Much more meaningful and descriptive, than a mere clump or bunch, in my book at least.

Have a peaceful evening, and many thanks for sharing your valued thoughts.

Tina

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

Beautiful, Tina. Lots of layers and such fresh perspectives on spring imagery often taken for granted.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hello there, Vera.  Pleased you enjoyed reading this.. as much, it seems, as I enjoyed writing it.   The particular 'joyfulness of narcissus' had already been planted by the previous owner of my house, and they flower every year, just by my pond, as regular as clockwork. I have planted many other bulbs since, but few seem to survive, and I think there are too many greedy rabbits around.  Strangely enough, bulbs poisonous, of course, to humans, and most animals...except, rabbitssmiley

Have a lovely sunny Thursday.

Tina

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Lovely images, the names of plants and birds conjure up a magical setting.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Pleased you thought so, Philip, and were kind enough to let me know.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Lovely compact bundle of different images again, Tina. And the mix of noticing looking for the early signs, and longing for the more. I loved the narcissus leaves 'punching through' . Is the picture an Iris - looking forward to that? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Yes, indeed, Rhiannon, an iris, most certainly.  There can't be many flowers and plants, you are not familiar with, I shouldn't wondersmiley I too am looking forward to the 'iris' season.  I have some lovely yellow ones that grow in the margins of my pond, but the mauve ones, as in the picture, are my favourites.

Thanks for your lovely comment.

Tina

 

 

Submitted by tibi popovici on

smiley "A cacophony of pheasants erupts", touched my spirit. Beautiful words, Tina!

I think spring should reward you for this..., with a sunshine, perhaps? smiley

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Well hello there, tibi...and I do have some sunshine today, thank goodnesssmiley and you've just given me a whole lot more, as well.  As to those noisy pheasants, they really are a cacophony at this time of the year...especially when chasing their would-be harem, all the way round my flower-beds.wink

Have a sunny day, yourself, tibi, and thanks for dropping by.

Tina

 

 

Submitted by tibi popovici on

nice to hear that, Tina. In the last corner of the world smiley​, where i am living, is raining, as usual smiley

have a great day

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Sorry to hear, that, tibi...but I guess we need that rain (in moderation, of course) to make them flowers growsmiley

 

Submitted by Dave Flanagan on

Nice piece - looking forward to the spring... :-)

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, Dave, and thanks, so much.smiley