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Ode To Kudzu

Ode to Kudzu Kudzu! O my limber lianas Your “vines” “soar” o’re magnolia scented boughs Then “glide” through briar thickets Of purple stained blackberry kisses. Kudzu! O my summer “hued” climber No native son, you “hold” onto songs of lazy rivers Then “clasp” the lyrics of midnight trains to your heart In million pines with roots to “grasp” red tinted earth. Kudzu! O my trailing tangled rambling mass I “gasp” in awe and “clutch” your leafy majesty Framed in humid solstice sunlight to “inhale” Your sweet breath of newborn blossoms. Kudzu! O my creeping southern smile Impervious to scorching sun or wild hurricanes Your ghostly outlines haunt trees and telephone wires But when frost comes I mourn to see your empty trellis - NOT! 7-8-21 Contest: Grasp Sponsor: Constance LaFrance Prompt words: grasp, vines, clutch,, gasp, hold, clasp, glide, soar, inhale, hued

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Joseph May

Date: 7/16/2021 1:01:00 PM

Beautifully done Sam, Congrats on your win

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/19/2021 11:24:00 AM

Many thanks Joseph. This imported vine has literally taken over the south creating ghostly shapes as it covers telephone poles and mailboxes. Thought it might be a fun topic for the contest! All the best. Blessings!

Constance La France

Date: 7/16/2021 10:54:00 AM

Sam, congratulations on your placement in my Writing Prompt - Grasp - Challenge! Your use of the required words is excellent and I liked your poem a lot ~ love and serenity _Constance

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/19/2021 11:27:00 AM

Thank you so much Constance. I had fun with these words and a little tongue in check writing about Kudzu. So glad you liked this ode! That means a lot to me! Grateful for the placement! Sending you blessings dear heart!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/13/2021 6:02:00 PM

I imagine Kudzu is showing all his fellow 'Kudzu-ites' your remarkable ode, Sam.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/14/2021 10:29:00 AM

Many thanks Gershon! Even though Kudzu is very invasive, there is a bit of mischief in the vine. And, as it crawls over maiboxes and telephone poles, it does make me smile. Thanks for making me smile with your delightful message. Mirth and kudzu mischief to you!

Marilene Evans

Date: 7/12/2021 11:14:00 AM

Marvelous write with dazzling imagery. Congratulations, my friend!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/14/2021 10:25:00 AM

Marlilene, thank you! Kudzu has really taken over the south climbing up everything and creating ghostly shapes. I just had to have a little tongue in cheek fun with vine! Glad you liked it! This is also a nod to friends in the south and our time living in Georgia. Sending you blessing dear friend.

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 7/12/2021 11:00:00 AM

Congratulations, Sam! Oh, what a lovely ODE! I am not familiar with the vine, but now your enchanting write inspires to find one. Oh Dear Friend - you are so creative! Every poem reveals your poetic talent and originality. Love ~ Mala

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/14/2021 10:37:00 AM

Thank you so much dear friend! Your wonderful messages encourage me. They are a blessing! Just an FYI - Kudzu was brought to the southern US to stop soil erosion and for the sweet perfume of its blossoms. It loves the south and has firmly entrenched itself by crawling up telephone poles, abandoned buildings and over mailboxes. There is an inherent sense of mischief and lots floral mayhem in the vine that makes me grin. So grateful for your friendship! Much love. Sam

Sotto Poet

Date: 7/12/2021 7:55:00 AM

Congratulations, Sam, you deserved this win with incredibly penned prose. I wish you always the best

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/12/2021 9:08:00 AM

Thank you so much Lasaad! Just had to have a little fun. Hope you are doing well. Always grateful for your messages and your good wishes. Blessings to you!

Christuraj Alex

Date: 7/12/2021 6:56:00 AM

Beautifully written. Congratulations!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/12/2021 9:06:00 AM

Many thanks Chris! Kudzu has taken over the south - climbing over huge pine trees and mailboxes! Have a great week!

L Milton Hankins

Date: 7/8/2021 8:25:00 PM

This is so well-composed, Sam. Strange, just today i was thinking about kudzu, but I couldn't think of the name of it. Thanks!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/9/2021 9:29:00 AM

Thanks so much Milt! Great minds! As I was saying to Gina, had to have a little fun with Kudzu - a notorius southern vine! I understand it was brouight to the south to help with soil erosion and for its scented blossoms. Looks like it is now a permanent summer resident! All the best! :D

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 7/8/2021 4:59:00 PM

Wonderfully creative :) Kudzu is definitely a vine to grasp the thoughts.. love this. God bless you with a win. Love, Gina

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/9/2021 9:25:00 AM

Just had to have a little fun, Gina. Only southerners know about Kudzu and its wandering, often invasive, ways on telephone poles, trees and and old buildings! Many thanks for your blessings and best wishes. Blessings and a hug! Love, Sam