Iris-W

Prized for perfumes and medicines, Rainbow personified & God’s messenger, Resting the souls of dead women, Decorum of the graves, Delight of the ancient artists. Blooming on Minoan Walls, Sculptured in stone at Karnak. Living memories of the French revolution. Clovis put you on his banner And won over Germanic tribe. Louis VII adopted you as device, ‘Fleur-de-lis’ the symbol of France. Germany suspended you in beer barrels, And France to enrich the wine, England to give flavour to brandies, And Russia flavoured a soft drink. Then, plucked in a state of chastity, Now, relegated to flavour toothpaste. ========================== Contest: The poem was read by me at the World congress of Poets held in Iasi, Romania in 2002 and has been published in the following international magazines: Copy and paste in your browser the following links: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=24119&id=121733 http://www.fieralingue.it/modules.php? name=Content&pa=list_pages_categories&cid=58 http://www.boloji.com/writers/rammehta.htm http://www.inditecircle.com/pro/art.php?artid=31 http://www.kavitanjali.com/pgjuly07/iris.htm http://www.alittlepoetry.com/vs06rammehta.html http://www.poetsexpress.com/Winter07/DrRamMehta.htm http://www.poetry.com http://www.poetrymagazine.com/archives/2001/April01/mehta.htm

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Jesu Johnson

Date: 10/22/2011 9:41:00 AM

This is a vivid poem. That embodies a country by country use and people by people use of one of natures gems!!! I wish you continued success in your great poetic journey and wherever it may lead!!!

Stephen Parker

Date: 6/9/2011 4:01:00 PM

You make history come to life in this scintillating poem. You neatly threaded together the symbolic value of the iris in the historical record. Enjoyed your educational poem!

Daniel Galvin

Date: 6/9/2011 2:20:00 PM

i really like this one Doc; aside from your wonderful phrases, i learned a heap about the uses of the iris. (until I got down to the 'fleur-de-lis' line, I actually thought you meant 'iris' as in 'eye.' maybe you were playing with the multiple definitions of iris? lines 6 and 13 of your poem are nuts-o if you think 'eye' instead of 'flower')

Autumn Ehrhardt

Date: 6/9/2011 11:27:00 AM

I recently read that flowers are like the enlightenment of plants. I love this piece, and I have recently found a passion for the iris. They are blooming all over Boulder Colorado right now.

Isioma West

Date: 6/9/2011 10:27:00 AM

This is so beautiful. It'll put a smile on anyone's face. Great talent

C.C Bloomsfield

Date: 6/9/2011 8:45:00 AM

Thanks for sharing this gem,We are proud of you :)..

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 6/9/2011 7:25:00 AM

congrats on this reading Dr. Ram of this glorious write on Iris ..good luck in the contest too.. wonderful beautiful flower my friend..luv..

Sara Kendrick

Date: 6/9/2011 7:21:00 AM

Congratulations on your success with this poem..I enjoy the beauty of the simple Iris...The beauty and strength of this flower is amazing..So many colors that is now displayed in new varieties..Your presence at my work was encouraging...I have written several Iris poems also..Sara

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 6/8/2011 9:24:00 PM

Spring all over again.. I like the line. God's messneger.. Thanks for sharing,..p.d.

Richard Moriarty

Date: 6/8/2011 8:20:00 PM

I can only aspire to be published to such heights, but given my age, my opportunities will have to be much lower - I enjoyed this work very much, thank you, Dr. Ram.