Botanically speaking, the plant names
trip on the tongue with some effort (mine)
but once murmured, sound like the tune to an old song
I’ve known all my life, the words rolling off in
chunks of meaning as I pass by a rainbow of familiar flora –
oleander–-pinnate, poisonous, softened by pink and purple
eucalyptus–fragrance in crushed wood, leaving the warmth of summer on the wind,
agapanthus—amethyst blooms, towering hedge-high
bougainvillea–-starburst magenta gems on a stem
mandevilla-fluted swirls of indigo, twirling tendrils, fence-tight
jacaranda-lavender floating ballerinas, suspended sky-high
crape myrtle–rainbow sherbet colored curls
manzanita–bronzy branches, twisted trunks
hibiscus–deep throated petals of the South Pacific.
I carry the colors home, sorting out the images
remembering the days
when summer lived in my yard
while the pictures, people and places
I ferry home in my heart.
~~~~~~~~~
Agreed, his creative genius is put on stunning display in the tropics. Such vibrant colors in countless forms of plants and flowers!
I think Florida and Southern California share a bit of that warm, tropical weather…..God is so creative!
Some of those flowers I recognize from our years in Florida. Your descriptions are not only beautiful but pinpoint accurately their distinctive features! Beautiful, Jody.
There's just something special about knowing the name of things, isn't there?
Jody, I woke up to this in my feed. It is simply lovely. Thanks for the calm moment.
Lovely, Jody. Sounds like CA will always be home.