Best Coneflowers Poems
In a gorgeous meadow chock full of butterflies and daylilies there lived a
sassy happy beautiful dragonfly. She was loved by the tulips, roses, and coneflowers. The monarchs revered her, seeing the joy she brought to the meadow. This little dragonfly did her best to fit in, nurturing each aspect of the meadow as was her right.
pretty dragonfly
spreading love to the flowers
expecting nothing
Silver haired, the year
rests in the field.
Crows gather
on the sycamore bones.
The day is like glass.
Winter lurks
in the shadows.
In brittle glades,
papery pods protect
the last seeds.
Spiky coneflowers stand tall;
the goldfinches had their harvest.
Everywhere signs
of a cycle
fulfilled.
December 24, 2017
Tufted white-tops
on pale beige staggered-stalks,
the coneflowers crowns
dressed the perennial bed;
leaning precariously against
the conical mushroomesque birdbath.
Snow, soft and wet wrapped the grape arbor like ermine;
making trellises reminiscent of Kanji on a blank page.
Fragile, frozen, flowers hung decoratively,
from frail clematis twined about cedar posts.
Brittle brown maple leaves, left behind by autumn;
drag branches draped,
as in bridal lace to the frosted tarp;
defying winter to do what fall could not.
Conifers cried under the weighty white down.
Their limbs straining not to crack, surrender,
snapping to attention as the day warms.
The snow plops pleasantly to the ground.
Winter waits patiently as the garden dreams.
mother taught me about gardens ...
all winter she would ponder ... and make plans
selecting flowers by texture and shape
in a tapestry of colors
like bright sun jewels
and on planting "day" I wore an aquamarine sundress ...
~ we needed hardy flowers
for our changeable climate
and mother taught me to use color artfully ~
but no matter what we did ... by mid summer
the garden was a wild mosaic tangle
of tangerine nasturtium and lemon marigold
along with lilac forget-me-nots
and a mix of lavender and crimson snapdragons
we had lost all control ...
~ oh, we had painted daisies in saffron
and watermelon pink
and trusting coneflowers in all hues ~
now, my garden is much smaller
yet I still have a vibrant array of flowers
a display of changing colors all summer long
thrusting, cascading, and tumbling
I have climbing wallflowers in chartreuse
every view is painted ... in hues
like watercolors saturated with sun
oh, I love the coral bells ... cascading from baskets
~ let there be color and there is ... like magic
... colorful flowers dance in the breeze
____________________
April 5, 2021
Poetry/Free Verse/let there be color
Copyright Protected, ID 04-1344-147-05
All rights Reserved, 2021, Constance La France
Written for the Premier contest Changing Colors
sponsor, Emile Pinet, Judged 04/19/2021
First Place
Long to touch the rows u p o n rows of coneflowers,
but the bees, they b u z z, and the butterflies own.
Favorite intrepid host, the red-winged blackbird, towers
over the purpleness of his downturned petal throne.
Eyes flit back and forth as g o l d e n splashes cool
the p i n e y pond of koi. Serenity of zephyr scent
sends introspective id swimming like this school —
no longer in this worrisome world, exhaustion spent.
Traverse the paths of no work, no play - merely a b a n d o n
to holly bushes, lady slippers, roses with whimsical names.
Snowball hydrangeas, blueberries like goose pimples - stand in
the nether of shadow and sun, the hometown of God’s acclaim.
Close my eyes - bluster of multicolored petals from the sky,
cover my i n v i s i b l e frame… uninvited flocks gather
in an undecided decade of “don’t know when or why.”
P o s t u r i n g — shan’t get myself in a botanical lather.
Have faith, the untouchables are thriving with grace,
waiting for the usual feet to pass time, adorn this place.
7/31/2020
Silent one’s Petal, buds, blossoms, bees, birds, butterflies! Poetry Contest
Forever etched within the meadows of my mind you stood silent in wait of me
amid the flowering Lithrope, snuggled deep beside ornamental irons, I did watch
only to find your eyes waver fearful a passerby may intrude upon your pounding heart
I must be courageous in God's glorious garden or forever be hollow and set aside
The sun and breeze kiss a Paulownia tree sending the leaves lovingly onto my path
crushing phlox and coneflowers beneath my feet I muster courage ambling forward
to meet the most beloved creature I've ever beheld, the same I seek forgiveness from
" I love you please allow time to know me further than empty words on a screen"
Judy Konos
8/30/15
Sense of Touch contest
============================
Central Park Manhattan, New York City
Opened in 1857 on 778 acres
I will turn back the old pages of time,
to mom's flowers and this little girl;
mom filled my pool and in I jumped,
she called me pixie and I giggled.
Then she turned to her garden,
trimming black-eyed susan;
and white shasta daisies,
and we helped too.
I had my own tools,
I worked hard too;
she gave me a small patch in the sunshine,
with bright petunias and yellow marigolds.
Mom planted coneflowers for the monarchs,
I planted columbine for the hummingbirds;
and yarrow for bees,
oh, I loved the garden.
And I loved mom too,
and the lilies, blue bell flowers, and violets;
oh, that crazy creeping thyme,
this is a treasured page in the book of my life.
_________________________
June 20, 2016
Verse
Submitted to the contest, New/Old 2
sponsor, Eve Roper
First Place
the prickly-eyed coneflower bees
attractively buzzing their squeeze.
the purple petal umbrellas.
a lovely echinacea breeze.
butterflies and hummingbirds hove’.*
red-winged blackbird, high perched above,
does shelter in Eden, his brood.
cones teem with life, vivacious love.
8/24/2022
Eight Lines of Rhyme - Your Favorite Flower
Sponsor: Tania Kitchin
Rhymes checked with rhymezone
aaba rhyme scheme
*hove’ - hover
“ ... the bee collects nectar and departs without
injuring the flower, or its color or fragrance .... "
Quote from _ Quotefancy
I am a bee and my life is an eternal struggle
each day I need nectar and pollen to survive
I also need water- but I have found a haven
a bee friendly city garden created with love
oh, I don't mind sharing it with butterflies
and hummingbirds, I know they need food too !
I have watched the young women planting
she is so calm and tranquil and knows
exactly what I like. How did she know that
I cannot see red, but love purple and yellow
and I don't mind blue and white, but no red !
She has created a sweet garden of delight
with purple coneflowers, black eyed susan
sunflowers, daisies, lupines, zinnias, phlox
yarrow, asters and even herbs that I love
like rosemary, oregano, basil and chives,
of course, in reality I do not know their names !
One day, I made a mistake and flew inside
an open door, I was in a daze and was buzzing
but she did not hurt me but cupped her hands
and carried me back outside and placed me
gently on a purple coneflower, that was nice !
She even considered that we need to drink
and has given us a bird bath of clean water
well, I have to share it with the butterflies
and birds, ever seen a hummingbird take a bath !
Oh, I love my wildflower haven . . .
____________________
May 27, 2022
Poetry/Personification/The Bee Haven
Copyright Protected, ID 05-1459-026-27
All Rights Reserved, 2022, Constance La France
Written for the Standard contest, Bee Creative
sponsor, Matt Caliri, Judged 07/1712022
Unsung heroes of the garden fringes
Perennial favorites for a colorful bouquet,
Purple coneflowers with yellow twinges.
Violets are sweet…, yes, they are okay,
But they are too small, coneflowers tower
Perennial favorites for a colorful bouquet.
They are imposing not unlike a sunflower
Those bright purple petals, strikingly nice,
Looking swell edging a front lattice bower.
Their scent can be reminiscent of a spice
But be careful smelling, for bees also enjoy
Those bright purple petals, strikingly nice.
Purple coneflowers the florists employ
For lovely summer arrangements, in fact,
But be careful smelling, for bees also enjoy.
Of the purple coneflower, nothing lacked
Unsung heroes of the garden fringes
For lovely summer arrangements, in fact,
Purple coneflowers with yellow twinges.
THIRD PLACE WINNER
Written May 31, 2022
Submitted to "Purple Flowers" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Nayda Ivette Negron Flores
I will turn back the pages of time
to mom and to when I was a little girl
mom would fill my pool and in I jumped
she called me pixie and I giggled
then, she turned to her garden
trimming black-eyed susan
and white shasta daisies
and I helped too
I had my own tools
and I worked hard
she gave me a small patch in the sunshine
with bright petunias and yellow marigolds
Mom planted coneflowers for the monarchs
I planted columbine for the hummingbirds
and yarrow for bees
oh, I loved the garden
then, mom said we need some rain
so we prayed and waited
and the beautiful rain showers came
gently falling on all the flowers and my columbine
petunias, yellow marigolds, and yarrow grew huge
and some crazy creeping thyme I had planted
this is a treasured memory
in the book of my life
_________________________
March 08, 2022
Poetry/Free Verse/garden memories
Copyright Protected, ID 03-1437-403-08
All Rights Reserved, 2022, Constance La France
Submitted to the Standard contest, A Brian Strand Libre Vers
sponsor, Brain Strand, Judged 03/11/2022
First Place
I went for a drive in the country one fine day,
and came upon a huge field full of wildflowers;
the flowers swayed and danced in the gentle breeze.
There were bright white Daisies and yellow Buttercups,
sweet Black-Eyed Susan and tall, tall blue Coneflowers;
and in and out and drinking came buzzing fat bees.
I got out of my car to explore . . . with delight,
loving the tall delicate Cosmos in all hues;
it was a beautiful dream- but it was all real.
I felt full of peace and let go of my sadness,
for this moment all I knew was tranquility;
wanting to dwell with flowers and just petals- feel.
How long did I linger here- (was it but an hour),
butterflies came drifting and many song birds sang;
oh, I could wander with these wildflowers all day.
Walking among orange blooms and purple Asters,
the soft blue wildflowers and oh so pretty weeds;
this memory will always and forever stay.
_________________________
June 27, 2019
Poetry/Verse/Tri-con/A Summer Field
Copyright Protected, ID 19- 1160-637-02
All Rights Reserved. Written under Pseudonym.
Written for the contest, Tri-Con
sponsor, Emile Pinet
Fourth Place
I will turn back the pages of time,
to mom and to when I was a little girl;
mom would fill my pool and in I jumped,
she called me pixie and I giggled.
Then, she turned to her garden,
trimming black-eyed susan;
and white shasta daisies,
and I helped too.
I had my own tools,
and I worked hard.
She gave me a small patch in the sunshine,
with bright petunias and yellow marigolds.
Mom planted coneflowers for the monarchs,
I planted columbine for the hummingbirds;
and yarrow for bees,
oh, I loved the garden.
Then, mom said we need some rain,
so we prayed and waited;
and the beautiful rain showers came,
gently falling on all the flowers and my columbine,
petunias, yellow marigolds, and yarrow grew huge;
and some crazy creeping thyme I had planted !
This is a treasured page
in the book of my life.
_________________________
June 20, 2016
Poetry/Free Verse/And The Rain Came
Copyright Protected, ID 16-9955-17-0
All Rights Reserved. Written Under Pseudonym.
Submitted to the contest, Sunshine and Showers(old/new)
sponsor, Robert Haigh
Honorable Mention
IN THE JOY OF THIs MORNING
————————————————————————————————
(For Jim, to explain why
my tears can run down in Joy)
********
In day’s earliest light
(my inner eyes see)
The recitals there, nearly-sky, as
The does lead their Spring-born fawns
Leaping over Glory’s
Far-sprouting wildflower fields…
Finding brown hares fast to follow;
With streaked cats in a chase, swinging their paws at
Bobbing blooms, like
The sweet-scented heather on tossed air
Left by the fleet fox — not on a hunt, but
On a spree of joy —
In a breathing-in of a new day’s anointing.
The pure leaps
Into
Being…
And the squirrels, too, very nearly
With the gifting of invisible wings, bounding off
From tree to tree…
While we, the children of God, are left to
Watch —
Incapable of such leaps
(often going on in our suffering, short, shuffled steps)
With our simpler legs:
Designed
for
Kneeling
And preparing to sit in awe
Before God’s heavenly throne; in joy…
To learn in our imagining thoughts, the ways of
The flashings-past beauty of horses, freely
Jumping ever higher, with distinct grace,
Over recurring hurdles,
While carrying bareback all their praises, on to
Canter over clover, and over
Blue coneflowers amidst wild, white daisies, and
All the yellow dandelions on
Through the blessing, reverberating echoes
Of the heartbeats of God —
As they seek to penetrate and fulfill,
Showing our so-created human souls
The way to leap…
How we might — this morning —
Ascend to flight!
————————————————————————————————————————————-
(c) sally young eslinger 5/12/22
ALL
Thanks be to Go
mother taught me about gardens ...
all winter she would ponder ... and make plans
selecting flowers by texture and shape
in a tapestry of colors
like bright sun jewels
and on planting "day" I wore an aquamarine sundress ...
~ we needed hardy flowers
for our changeable climate
and mother taught me to use color artfully ~
but no matter what we did ... by mid summer
the garden was a wild mosaic tangle
of tangerine nasturtium and lemon marigold
along with lilac forget-me-nots
and a mix of lavender and crimson snapdragons
oh, we had lost all control ...
~ we had painted daisies in saffron
and watermelon pink
and thrusting coneflowers in all hues ~
now, my garden is much smaller
yet I still have a vibrant array of flowers
a display of changing colors all summer long
that grow high, cascade, and tumble
I have climbing wallflowers in chartreuse
and every view is painted ... in hues
like watercolors saturated with sun
oh, I love the coral bells ... falling from baskets
~ let there be color and there is ... like magic
... colorful flowers dancing in the breeze
____________________
April 5, 2021 - Repost
Poetry/Free Verse/like watercolors
Copyright Protected, ID 04-1368-232-05
All Rights Reserved, 2021, Constance La France
Submitted to the Standard contest, A Brian Strand July 2 Contest
sponsor, Brian Strand, Judged 07/02/2021
First Place