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Fire Poppies

Spring delights with nature’s song But then summer comes along With intention to compete And excel with bouts of heat. Stifling air by day and night Dazzling sun ablaze, too bright Layered roads buckle and melt Wildfires make their presence felt. Searing tongues flicker and roll Woodland burns out of control Hungry beast won’t be denied Till at last the flames subside. Devastation, tears and pain Cling to hope and autumn rain To arrive, replace the gloom With amazing super bloom… Golden flowers orange, red Hide the ashes and instead Inflorescence soothes the heart With the gift of nature’s art. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A Jueju~Qijue Poetry Contest Sponsored by Emile Pinet © 16th May 2023

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Jack Horne

Date: 9/16/2023 2:38:00 PM

love this one, Paul - had to read it twice

Brian Sambourne

Date: 7/4/2023 6:51:00 AM

As a student, I remember well seeing fields of red poppies in France. Your poem, Paul, beautifully combines flowers, summer heat, even the ash from wildfires. Fire poppies indeed. "Nature's art" still soothes. Your poem is a winner in every way. Cheers Brian

Paul Callus
Date: 7/4/2023 11:23:00 AM

Thank you for contributing to this poem with your lovely feedback, Brian. Nature has a way by which to heal its own scars. ~ Regards // paul

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/19/2023 1:19:00 PM

I have no knowledge of the poetry form but your poem was indeed a very fine one! Closing stanza brilliant too. A fav... A gem . God bless.

Paul Callus
Date: 6/19/2023 11:11:00 PM

Thank you on all counts, Robert, including the fav. Your generosity is truly appreciated, my friend. Regards // paul

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 6/19/2023 12:17:00 PM

Hi Paul, this is an outstanding descriptive poem. I hope you do well in this contest as it is most deserving.

Paul Callus
Date: 6/19/2023 1:11:00 PM

Thank you for the complimentary comments, Nancy. The results are already out and this poem found a place on the winners' list (so your wish has come true:)) ~ Regards // paul

Jack Horne

Date: 6/5/2023 5:50:00 AM

this is beautiful, my friend. I hope you are doing well

Paul Callus
Date: 6/11/2023 1:44:00 AM

Thank you, Jack. So far life is being kind :) Best regards // paul

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/3/2023 8:37:00 AM

Imagery impeccable!

Paul Callus
Date: 6/6/2023 9:49:00 AM

Thank you so much, Kim! Glad you enjoyed. Regards // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 6/2/2023 6:41:00 PM

Dear Paul, I enjoyed the cascade of vibrant imagery bringing me to where the “fire poppies” bloom. I especially adore the vivid imagery of your last stanza.. the poppies against the ash.. such a striking contrast. Your poetic artistry touches the senses and the imagination with textured finesse. A belated congrats to you for your wonderful win in Emile’s contest. Warmest wishes and hugs, my friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 6/21/2023 2:08:00 AM

Thank you, Susan, for the gift of words which adorns not only your poetry, but also the sincere comments that you post. Your support and encouragement will always be truly appreciated and cherished. ~ Warm regards & Hugs dear friend. // paul

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/29/2023 7:00:00 AM

Autumn is my very best season of the year, what a relaxing, nurturing, richly painted few months of natures colors caress and soothe our souls. Beautiful Jeuju Paul. Warm regards, hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Paul Callus
Date: 6/21/2023 1:48:00 AM

Hi Jenny! I love spring, but I also enjoy the Maltese autumn when the weather is still warm enough to go swimming. Warm regards & Hugs, my friend. // paul

Brandy Nicole

Date: 5/28/2023 1:26:00 PM

Even though these beauties feel the intense heat, my heart smiles knowing they "cling to hope and autumn rain." Nature showers us with a beautiful art show, and you have created a masterpiece with your words. Beautiful in every way, my sweet friend. Many wonderful blessings to you. :) Hugs, Brandy

Paul Callus
Date: 6/19/2023 1:38:00 PM

Excuse my somewhat late reply, dear Brandy! I was under the impression that I had already reacted to your lovely feedback. Thank you for your visits, friendship and support. Warm regards & Hugs // paul

Eve Roper

Date: 5/25/2023 9:33:00 PM

They are so pretty written in your words. Blessings my friend

Paul Callus
Date: 5/26/2023 1:08:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by, my friend; your words are much appreciated. Hugs // paul [soupmail on the way]

Sara Kendrick

Date: 5/24/2023 7:26:00 AM

Congratulations on this winning work in Emile's contest. Way to go. Creative work for sure. Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 5/24/2023 2:45:00 PM

Glad you liked it, Sara....thank you. Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/23/2023 2:56:00 PM

Very nicely done, Paul. I am glad to see you got a win here!

Paul Callus
Date: 5/24/2023 2:16:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea. I notice that nowadays not many people turn up at the Soup kitchen :) Regards // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 5/23/2023 10:32:00 AM

- Spring is always a wonderful time ... a new start after a long winter - No scorching heat in the summer in Norway ... we keep cool all year round :) - A beautiful poem, Paul :) - hugs

Paul Callus
Date: 5/24/2023 2:27:00 PM

Thank you for reading and liking, Anne-Lise. Here it can get pretty hot at times, but we are lucky to be surrounded by sea and are able to go swimming any time we feel like it. ~ Hugs // paul

Bill Baker

Date: 5/23/2023 6:27:00 AM

Wonderful form, Jueju. Congrats on placing well in the contest, Paul. Your poem was accurate and the good and bad of the season well descriped with explicite imagery. I especially like the ending, the last to lines ... "Inflorescence soothes the heart With the gift of nature’s art. Very soothing, thank you for sharing your poetic gift with us. :-) Cheers, Bill

Paul Callus
Date: 5/23/2023 9:50:00 AM

Thank you for the complimentary and insightful comments, Bill. Best regards // paul

Emile Pinet

Date: 5/22/2023 11:03:00 AM

Congratulations Paul! Your poem “Fire Poppies” earned a distinguished place in my Jueju-Qijue contest; well done, my friend, Emile.

Paul Callus
Date: 5/23/2023 5:57:00 AM

Thank you, Emile. I am somewhat late for the party!! Let me go and read the winning poems. Best regards // paul

Susan Lawrence

Date: 5/17/2023 1:54:00 PM

Dear Paul , I can see nature’s art that you have painted beautifully with your words ! Golden flowers of orange and red covering the ashes below . Super blooms are a welcome gift indeed ! The heat keeps going up and fires are everywhere. Big hugs my friend . Sending all good wishes . Susan :)

Paul Callus
Date: 5/23/2023 5:48:00 AM

Hiii dear Susan. [I am still savouring the beauty of your latest poem, which I read a while ago. It was worth waiting for!] Thank you for your lovely visit and the delightful feedback...much appreciated :) Warm regards & Hugs, my friend // paul

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/16/2023 3:14:00 PM

Hello Paul, I enjoyed this poem of nature. Nature hs its beauty. Also ugliest when something goes wrong. Enjoy your evening my friend. /Darlene\

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/23/2023 3:10:00 PM

Hello Paul, Yes i excuse the late reply. We are allbusy doing something that needs to be done, Before the computer time. Regards\ Darlene/

Paul Callus
Date: 5/23/2023 5:41:00 AM

Thank you, Darlene for visiting, reading and commenting...and pls excuse the late reply, my friend. Regards // paul