Notes About The Poem

A Lifetime of Geraniums

Geraniums have always been my favorite flowering plant,
with their vibrant burst of colors with warm spicy fragrant scents.
Nostalgic memories of going to my Grandmother’s house in Spring.
Sitting on her sunny porch, her smile as bright as her crimson flowers.

Her house greeted me with scents of fresh brewed coffee and banana bread. 
It was our secret that I could have big cups with cinnamon and whipped cream.
She loved to plant flowers and I often helped with her Spring plantings,
enjoying the feeling of my hands and fingers touching the moist, cool soil.

Years passed and my grandmother was buried in our family plot at the cemetery.
I would go there every Spring and plant a variety of red and pink geraniums,
with variegated green leaves, growing upward like hands reaching to the sky.
I admired their red and fuchsia blooms as spring birds sang their melodies.

Over the years I carried on the tradition of planting geraniums in antique urns. 
I would plant fuchsia, crimson, and coral colors with variegated leaves,
a peaceful escape from my horrible marriage and world falling apart around me.
I was soon left alone, life felt depressing, I felt lonely and drowning in despair.

I remember that Spring day, it was cold, crisp and windy, I decided to go out.
I admired the trees swaying, their resilient branches strong with tiny buds.
I went to the greenhouse, as I entered, I was greeted with warm, fragrant air.
I followed nostalgic scents to a greenhouse full of fresh geraniums in bloom.

Bright geraniums greeted me in reds, pinks and whites, with variegated leaves.
I felt my Grandmother’s presence, imagining her smiling at me, feeling happy.
I left with a car full of fresh geraniums and with a purpose, to start over.
It’s now time for new beginnings, my spirit feeling lighter, hopeful.

3/12/2021
Sponsor: Constance LaFrance
Contest: Flower or Flowers in Imagism Form
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Mcconnell Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 4:08 AM
Beautiful words penned to a beautiful image Tania, full of great imagery and insightful thought too. Blessings,Gordon
Kitchin Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 9:04 AM
Thank you Gordon!
Ibeh Avatar
March 19, 2021 at 4:39 PM
Gorgeous poem, gorgeous flowers, Tania:-). I LOVED it. Heartiest congratulations on your deserving win!
Kitchin Avatar
March 20, 2021 at 3:25 AM
Thank you Ed!
Roper Avatar
March 15, 2021 at 10:50 PM
Great story, Tania, so well written. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve
Kitchin Avatar
March 16, 2021 at 4:38 AM
Thank you Eve!
La France Avatar
March 15, 2021 at 9:01 AM
Tania, congratulations on your win in my Imagism Challenge on the theme of a flower or flowers, you wove a wonderful story around the imagery of Geraniums, a fav of mine too, it had emotion and love, well done _Constance
Kitchin Avatar
March 15, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Thank you Constance!
Pandit Avatar
March 15, 2021 at 7:32 AM
Delightful images blossom in this poem, Tania. Lovely tribute as well to your grandmother. Much happiness in reflective words. BIG congrats on your win.
Kitchin Avatar
March 15, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Thank you Vijay!
Andresen Avatar
March 15, 2021 at 2:56 AM
- Back to congratulate you on your win, Tania :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Kitchin Avatar
March 15, 2021 at 3:15 AM
Thank you Anne-Lise! hugs
Devonshire Avatar
March 14, 2021 at 3:23 PM
It's so nice that you planted your grandmother's favorite flowers on her grave. And even better that having geraniums now makes you feel like she is with you. Beautiful, Tania. Congrats on your top win! Best wishes, Carolyn
Kitchin Avatar
March 14, 2021 at 4:04 PM
Thank you Carolyn!
Allison Avatar
March 14, 2021 at 2:23 PM
Dropping back to say many congrats on your win, the picture is beautiful too:-) hugs Jan xx
Kitchin Avatar
March 14, 2021 at 3:11 PM
Thank you Jan! hugs
Koplin Avatar
March 14, 2021 at 6:04 AM
She must have been a wonderful lady! This is such a beautiful tribute to your Grandma, I'm sorry to hear you had a bad marriage but I'm glad to hear of your new beginning!
Kitchin Avatar
March 14, 2021 at 8:26 AM
Thank you Mark, luckily my second marriage is wonderful, nothing like the first trial run. :)
Allison Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 12:11 PM
what a super tribute to your grandmother my father also used to like them, got to say they are not my fave i dont like the smell lol:-) hugs Jan xx
Kitchin Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 2:21 PM
Thank you Jan, that's funny because I love the smell of them! hugs
Hankins Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 11:48 AM
Such a lovely tribute to your grandmother. Geraniums seem to go with grandmothers. Mine kept two urns of them on her front steps during the summer. I loved this poem, Tania, and I think of you often, hoping you find comfort, joy, and peace in your life. Best wishes for the weekend and luck in the contest.
Kitchin Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 2:21 PM
Thank you L.Milton, are you saying I am like a Grandmother?, lol :)
Cunningham Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 10:25 AM
A beautiful tribute to your grandmothers memory Tania. Best of luck in the contest, hope you have a lovely weekend. Tom
Kitchin Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 10:34 AM
Thank you Tom!
Buhagiar Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 9:14 AM
In Malta we grow many geraniums as they are adaptable to our climate. Your poem is excellent and you do well to honor your grand mother. A beautiful poem. Best for a win.
Kitchin Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 9:50 AM
Thank you Victor, hugs.
Andresen Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 8:15 AM
- Your grandmother's soul is with you when you plant these beautiful geraniums, a wonderful poem Tania - Spring is not quite here yet ... but I look forward to planting in all my pots - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Kitchin Avatar
March 12, 2021 at 8:23 AM
Thank you Anne-Lise! hugs
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