Rhoda and Phil-A Sad Goodbye

Florid hues of soft petaled flowers cast satin rose splashes of pastel colors that move within the cool morning shade, as the brilliance of the smiling sun reflects its warm beams of life from each delicate bud. Rhoda, so fragile, stands gazing for hours watching the stains as they dance in the shadows cast before her like captive souls of forgotten dreams, her lonely heart betrayed by a single wet stain left drying as the dew burns slow from the mud. The day advances past Phlox and Cornflowers when she spies him near, alone in the sun, a new friend she hopes yet he seems out of place, with exotic movements and hypnotic grace which stirs, anew, an emotional flood. "Phil," he says, his hand reaching for hers as smiling petals rim her lips, too quickly her heart is lost to new love, and together they enter a beautiful bliss, as she dreams of sharing his name, if she could. Time passes by into gentle warm showers, the golden rays peek through to dry each leaf, then their lonely shadows lengthen to one and together they revel in their new found love in the darkness of this lonely, bleak wood. Betoken breeze blows cold through the bowers as a cloud passes by and his shadow dissipates, Rhoda and Phil Odendron, she whispers their names, and she looks, and he's gone, and her poor heart breaks past the smiles, past love, he's now gone for good.
06/14/2017
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

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Dietrich Avatar
October 9, 2017 at 5:49 PM
Oh I see how clever this is. I believe there are some plants that have names which would be the same as putting their first names together with Odendron!! So impressive. I really like this metaphorical poem of yours, Ralph. You are amazingly poetic!! Send me a list of any others I have not seen for me to keep on hand. Not now, but when I have time, I will give you a list of some of my very best!!
Inman Avatar
October 9, 2017 at 7:17 PM
I will do that if I have anymore and please send me some of your favorites that you have written. Yes, I took a bit of liberty with Rhoda, it is actually Rhododendron (Azaleas are members of that family) and Philodendrons are tropical plants that have enormous leaves. Thank you Andrea.
Dietrich Avatar
October 9, 2017 at 5:46 PM
Hmmm, I don't see Regina. Why is that in my mind? But I see this one that you probably wanted me to see. Let me read it now.
Daniel Avatar
July 11, 2017 at 9:54 AM
Oh, I would never have guessed this was about plants, wonderful metaphor for lost love, James:) brilliant work:)
Inman Avatar
July 31, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Sorry for the late response Jo, and thank you for the great comment. I'm a huge plant and flower fan.
Downing  Avatar
June 14, 2017 at 4:01 PM
Aww how sad for her :( a great write, James :)
Inman Avatar
June 15, 2017 at 12:03 AM
Thank you Akkina. Yes a very sad situation.
Hamilton Avatar
June 14, 2017 at 10:34 AM
Such a sad but endearing tale of two lovers that must part, tragic finality for us all, in due time. Were they people you knew?
Inman Avatar
June 14, 2017 at 12:21 PM
Hi John, I knew someone who used to joke about rhododendron (azaleas) and philodendron, kind of as a metaphor for a relationship where they had nothing in common. One was from the tropics, the other from a temperate region. Recently, after many years, it ended.
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