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On First Seeing a Bloom

I never saw a eucalyptus bloom before

My desert tree grows leaves and nothing more.

They crowd the sky with dusty green and shade

The sun-baked earth with dappled bright cascade.

Does your flower sate with fragrance sweet;

Or does it emulate the leaves and greet

The morning dew with pungence sharp and keen

That sweeps the dawning day and makes it clean.?

 Is your flower large or small, can it grace

In glowing gasps a crystal vase?

What joy to see this lovely flower

Within my handsome garden bower!

What must I do; how must I groom;

My tree to grow this beauteous bloom?

 

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Comments

1 - 7 of 7

  • angelica silver member
    June 7

    Edit | Reply
    I love the smell of our Eucalyptus trees in Australia, it's a pity you've never seen one in bloom.
    Your poem leaves me longing to take another walk through the bush like I used to do when I was young.
    A lovely poem.


  • Winklings Account gold member
    June 6

    Edit | Reply

    I have an answer!

    Note: "Eucalyptus" is the scientific genus name. Eucalypt is the common name. Just as one would not write: "I never saw a Pinus bearing cones before". Having said this, I shall appreciate the poem.
    You have written an irregular rhythm both in meter and syllabic line lengths. The rhymed pairs are pleasant. However, I am going to observe this poem as a sonnet.
    This question is rhetorically good poetry:
    "Does your flower sate with fragrance sweet;

    Or does it emulate the leaves and greet

    The morning dew with pungence sharp and keen

    That sweeps the dawning day and makes it clean."

    Answers => Pungence usually comes only on crushing leaves in your hand. The flowers are sweet and the power of the scent depends upon the species. Many have a honeyed scent.
    Do not groom your tree. A young tree of your height is exciting in flower. It will stand pruning but simply becomes hardier and bushier. However, there are many hybrids bred that flower beautifully and reach but two or three metres.
    Thank you for a fine poem with good images.
    Lyndon.


    • mamad gold member
      June 7
      Edit | Reply
      I find it interesting. My poetry professor had a difficult time reading my poems. He always said "Never bring to the reading of a poem what you know." and then that is esxactly what he always did with my poems. He would assign, I would write, he would interpret, and I would be required to go into his office and explain my theme or my grammar, or my syntax. It is the syntax that you missed. My first line uses "bloom" as a noun, the direct object of the verb "saw". You interpreted as a verb. A big difference in the meaning of the sentence. Thank you for the honorable mention.

  • lianonsidhe silver member
    May 13
    Edit | Reply
    Hi
    Loved the rhyming in this and also the imagery.
    'The sun-baked earth with dappled bright cascade'
    and
    'Is your flower large or small, can it grace
    In glowing gasps a crystal vase?'
    These are my favourite lines and I can feel the sentiments in them as if I were there.
    Magic.


    • mamad gold member
      May 18
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for the nice comment--and the applause! It's true. I had never seen a eucalyptus bloom before.
  • celadia
    May 10
    Edit | Reply
    Love it, love the word use, the rhyme everything about it superb.


    • mamad gold member
      May 18
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for the lovely comment. It is truly appreciated.
1 - 7 of 7