Azaleas Poems

Elegy

Near the end of my journey,
the sky rains rusty gold, grains from
heaven cleanse my earthy pores
	—Bites of crimson filth spread
	a plague of exhausted stars

I let them devour in glee—
I am no longer attached to my
physical form; In the eyes there were
too many deaths—
azaleas, sandcastles, and rosy dreams

The air scrapes off
sin, along with skin and the mess underneath
I can barely see myself—the porcelain blue
peeks through the silhouette of my toes
I feel feathery—

At the end of my journey blossoms
a field gently sprinkling pink

Sunlit Whispers in my Garden

Golden sunlight, soft and bright,
Filters gently, warm with light.
Through the branches, high and low,
Warming all the earth below.

Azaleas blush in pink and red,
Geraniums lift each vibrant head.
Roses whisper, petals wide,
Bottlebrush stands with crimson pride.

Rhododendrons in magenta hue,
Hydrangeas paint the world in blue.
Zinnias sparkle, bright cascades,
Marigolds glow in golden braids.

Star jasmines mist the air with fragrance,
Butterflies heed lantanas’ bright summons.
Ladybugs twirl, insects glide,
Nature’s rhythm sparks a smile.

The pool, a mirror in the light,
Cool and crisp—a shining sight.
I dip my feet, the world feels kind,
A grateful heart, a tranquil mind.

The Seasons of Life

The winter snow and freeze killed everything 
I planted in the spring,
Rhododendrons, roses, Hawaii hibiscus
And the bougainvillea orange king.

Parsley, sage and thyme are gone, 
Peony and pansies too, 
The daisies died and I still sigh
For the loss of primrose blue.

No more azaleas or alyssum,
Passionflower or peppermint,  
The coleus did not last nor sassafras, 
And goodbye to rosemary’s scent.  

And all the leaves on the lemon tree
Look more like a weeping willow,
Sagging sadly as if begging madly 
To finally let her go.   

But Spring is looming ‘round the bend  
And new seeds await good earth,
To come alive in sun-filled skies 
And signify life’s worth.  

As all things come, and all must go
In a whisp of place and time, 
Like flowers and plants in a cosmic dance,
The seasons of life are Sublime.   

© Terrell Martin, 01/27/2025

The Red Hibiscus

A red hibiscus bloomed 
In the backyard yesterday
Reminding me of my mother 
And things she used to say.  
Like, “Oh, look at that butterfly
And the color of its wings,” and 
“Don’t you just love this time of year,
It’s so uplifting in the Spring!” 
She would doddle ‘round like a queen without a crown
Admiring all the plants and people living,
Seeing deeper than eyes can see 
Rarely taking but always giving.
She loved plants and seeds of every kind 
From azaleas to zinnia flowers,
And talked to them like family and friends
Any day or nighttime hour.  
Daisies, tulips or marigolds
Roses, or chrysanthemums,
She loved them all, Spring, Summer or Fall
In shade or the open sun.
And there were times I was embarrassed 
By her childlike, effervescent ways,
But in retrospect, I’d give anything
To have just one more day.  
Of hearing her voice speak softly 
Like she did when time stood still, 
“I love the red hibiscus, son, and you,
I always will.
   
© Terrell Martin, 12/14/2024

I wonder

Inspired by Silent One's Nothing shines endlessly.

" yet, I wonder if there can be love without poetry"
    - Silent One

  9 October 2024

Beneath the shadow of each petal
of bougainvilleas and azaleas 
that adorn grandma's porch
I trace my loneliness 
into the gossamer of light 
that bathes my shaded eyes 
yet, the shadow fades quickly
before my hands could shape
the paradigm I longed to paint
in the unfinished canvas
hiding under the old porch.

The morning sun warms the paint
as I dip my thirsty brush 
into the palette of endless quests
I stop into nothingness~

Then, I  begin to dance
like a deaf ballerina 
moving my feet and hands 
into the rhythm of the passing clouds
until the sky dissolves in darkness. 

I stop and wonder ~
if everything we see are greyscales 
of negative photography 
how could I paint you
sans chiaroscuro?

Please don't destroy my beautiful day

Don't destroy my beautiful day
The Azaleas are blooming, the chipmunks play
The roses unique, the hydrangea white
From the west comes an unusual clear, pure, light.

Mr. Atta, don't destroy my life and my day
Holy war drives you, ideals can't betray
But after work in the World Trade, 93rd floor
I was planning to surf off the Jersey shore.

Putin don't ruin my beautiful day
The fields are green, the sky a pearl gray
A missile hits a target, the target's my home
All I really asked was to be left alone

Sci-Rebels please don't glue yourself to the floor
The planet won't mend, but your hand will get sore
Whatever the cause, within reason please stay
So the rest of us can enjoy this beautiful day.

Please don't destroy my beautiful day
The sunrise is amazing across Casco bay
The sailboats come in, wheeling sea gulls cry
And though beauty must end, and humans must die
Don't be part of the problem, a runaway train
No peace for mankind when the fire's in your brain.

April 2 Love is in the Air

Springtime Flowers Blooming Love 


Springtime in Korea
walking down the world peace forest
near the international airport in Incheon 
with the love of my life by my side.

Enjoying the Flowering Trees
The snowing apple trees, cherry blossoms
pear blossoms. the purple azaleas, the anemone, 
the buttercups, the daffodils, the magnolia, 
the  scotch bloom, the tulips, 
the wildflowers in the field. 

the fragrance of love in the air
Life is great.

Breeze Poetry

Written: April 19, 2024
                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A whirl in motion.
In a world of vibrant hues, 
a dream so rich and true. 
visions of colors, bold and bright, 
A sight to behold.
pure delight.
a fleeting existence.
a comely moment, 
that dawned in the distance.

Colored crayons, 
a pulsating candle hue.
a burst of color, glistening
in the morning light.
enchanting auras 
A painting is encircled.
A gentle breeze carries
whispered secrets.
crimson elixir, swirling divine.
Whispering scarlet breezes.

Whispers, whisking away sorrow.
marigolds and azaleas
Amaryllis dances in the breeze.
beneath soft, pale green trees
Bees dance through the air.
A swing gently sways, 
A girl in flight
A scent dances. 
by her flowing locks.

SPRING SONATA

Vibrant glow of Spring
enthralls heart with triumph
as lovely daffodils radiate hope
while cheerful violas brighten the day
and blooming hyacinths accentuate garden’s beauty.

Spring, grace-bestowed
manifests Creator’s artistry
as buds of magnolia exude life 
with tulip bulbs showcasing growth
blend well with azaleas in wafting freedom delight.
 
As Spring birds serenade
with their melodious rendition
blossoms keep on waltzing and swaying
offering praise to the Almighty for existence-joy
reigning against blight … in celebration of triumphant birth.

It Started With a Blank Canvas

A blank canvas beckons for a blend of colours... 

Azure azaleas attract its attention
Festive fuchsias add flavour to the frame
Majestic marigolds mesmerise the muse
Baby pink roses radiate regal regards
Crimson carnations create chords of casual charm
White lilies whisper wisdom to the wasps
Lustrous lilacs luminate with their lambence
Bold buttercups breathe ballads to the bees

Peace picturised...the painting is perfect

Genesis

There's always been Ethel
isn't it time you tidied your room now
and Mr Thomas is he getting any better now
mowing his lawn
Sunday market, all sundry
roast pork and frilly laces
and I remember the voice from the past

Getting better in your verte garden
with red azaleas awash and pool full
a slithering grass snake
to awaken the soul

there's a pancrea for those in a rush
when the sun is alight
due lovers, gambling your fortune
its one big swoop

Pretending To Miss Everything

a gorgeous Eiffel tower is in the background of Peachtree Boulevard
We know it is not THE Eiffel tower, but it is amazing to see anyway
Atlanta Georgia has a flair all her own, her desserts are legend.
Hostas, foxglove, azaleas and wisteria trees line this piece of heaven.

I am lured into a pretty café with crepe myrtle trees and daisies.
The greeting is straight from the south “how ya’ll do’n?”
Beignets are brought to my table before I order.
Just a little something to tide you over, honey.

Yes, they still call you honey here, and it feels okay.
Other customers begin arriving in twos and threes.
I get out my novel and pretend to read,
Missing nothing, but pretending to miss everything
plotting my next six poems around strangers’ conversations.

At Dawn

Walking at dawn in the countryside,
Is a catharsis
.All the perfumes intoxicate me,
The scent of pine, More acidic than a white lemon,
The one of the Daphne Odorata like jasmine,
The scent of the sweeter pink laurel,
The aerial fragrances of green ferns,

All the perfumes,  surely intoxicate me,
That of sarcococca with vanilla scents,
The attractive scent of the orange tree of Mexico,
I name the flowers, one by one,
The cloves and their wild perfume,
Azaleas, hydrangeas so talkative,

Walking at dawn in the countryside
Is a catharsis, all heady scents?
It revives new love and desires,
There is nothing purer than a flower,
I can finally go home, 
I am ready to write again, forgiving the world.

Through Silent Woods

I wandered lone as I did seek
Through silent woods and rustling leaves
Down the hill to the flowing creek 
Away from life's stress causing heaves
There I saw a white lovely swan
By magic there appeared a fawn


As the slow running water splashed
Then filled a deeper hole for fish
A place to dream and keep my cached
Where those large fish could jump and whish
A place to write some poetry down
Where depressing thoughts could sink and drown


Where microscopic details thrived 
Those threatened plants grow high and wide
In this place they truly survive
This past spring trillium I spied
A host of buckeye 'pon the hill 
And wild azaleas gave me thrills


Back up the winding trail to home
Spirit filled, soul rested and still 
No need to drift; physically roam 
Just let my thoughts of this day fill 
In the kitchen in drudgery's grip
From my cup of memories sip     

From my thoughts about the work "I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud" by William Wordsworth

Repost of this one. 

For Brian

Flowery Tributes

A paradise of nature eloquent flowers bouquets sculpted by a spiral maze:
that has yellow, orange, pink, red roses with a rich redolent scent phase

Lilies, lilacs tulips, daisies, daffodils, buttercups of bountiful blooms; 
all have enchanted scents of fragrant perfumes to sniff then to choose

Love interludes does ensue with a varying and vibrant exotic love cues;
red, white roses and purple azaleas and orchid bed gardens muse

Summer countryside morning-glory flowers are new to you:
wildflowers consisting of colorful shades and natural hues

Pluck pretty prime peonies, pincushions and pansies flowers;
this to deployed plentifully in a pretty precocious bridled shower

Rhododendrons, impatiens, tulips violets are lavish lush tributes:
flowers are a botany study and nature's romance "love divine institutes"

"Escribed here are the floral flowery poetic tributes," a floral salute!

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