Happy May! May is a time for flowers. Let me interrupt this poetry post with a gallery of flowers.
On May Day I stopped at Walmart just to see what they had in the Garden Center. I was wowed by coral pink and yellow begonias, a whole display of them that seemed to be punished. I had to climb over the back of the display to get to them while a worker totally ignored me because she had to put together a grill. How did she not notice the beauty that was right in her way? I only rescued five of them, but I wanted all 50! I gave away each one to people in my life who have been shoulders for the weight I carry.
Last week my student and I planted a butterfly garden in a vegetable garden box abandoned by the 4-H Club. Lowe’s gave her $200 to shop with. The purple salvia is singing to the butterflies. We haven’t seen any yet, but we are keeping the soil moist so that all our plants can thrive and invite them.
This first Friday of May, Linda Mitchell invited the Inklings to write:
Write a poem from your O-L-W for 2023
Linda Mitchell, a generous open prompt for the crazy month of May
Or
Find a piece of artwork that has a word(s) embedded and write an ekphrastic poem inspired by the piece
Or
Go to Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day (any similar site) and be inspired by a word from there
Or
Just write a poem–about anything that needs to be written.
An author-friend suggested I subscribe to Kelly Bennett’s newsletter, Fishbowl, in which she prompts a 7 minute writing each week. I responded to her prompt using a May Sarton poem “Bliss” as a model poem. I borrowed a few words and was on my way. The photo is a word card that Linda M sent me for National Poetry Month, so I basically hit all points of the challenge.
Find other Inklings poems at these links:
Heidi Mordhorst
Linda Mitchell
Molly Hogan
Mary Lee Hahn
Catherine Flynn
The Kidlit Progressive poem for 2023 is archived here. I decided to archive the poems together, so scroll down to find 2023. Thanks to all who participated. What a fun adventure into the forest!
Reflections on the Teche 
oooooh…that coral color is gorgeous–especially next to the yellow. Isn’t it funny how poetry finds us? That walmart worker could get that grill put together with much more joy if she could notice the flowers. Ah, well. Maybe she will be more open to beauty today. A lovely take on the prompt with all kinds of threads woven together. I love it!
You really did hit all the parts of the challenge! Bonus points and a gold star for your factotuming!! I love “dill” and “will,” “hush-hushing,” and “the bliss of blessing.”
💗 your flowers, poem and its arrangement, and your ending “the bliss of blessing“ yes, and lovely sound and breath it offers, thanks Margaret!
Your poem is beautiful, Margaret, especially the “bliss of blessing.” It’s serendipitous that you should write about begonias today. That is the one flower I never much cared for, but this week I saw a variety at a garden center that looked like tiny rose blossoms and was just what I was looking for. It now hangs in a partially shady spot by the garage.
Blessed by begonias. I don’t usually buy them either, but found the display and couldn’t resist.
Love your idea of ‘blessing’ the garden with water, Margaret. I set up the watering system last evening, then doing my own ‘blessing’ early this morning, in between reading all the poetry. It’s time for me to get some flowers in the pots soon. They say every year it’s okay by Mother’s Day. I love your story of climbing at Walmart to rescue some begonias! Have a lovely Friday!
Thanks for the May bouquet. Enjoyed your poem and all the flower photos!!!
Margaret, thank you for introducing me to Kelly Bennett’s newsletter and May Sarton’s “Bliss” poem. There are so many wonderful thoughts in your Butterfly Garden poem. First, I love that blessing is in there twice. “gardener blessing,” “baptismal sprinkling,” “bliss of blessing” and “an invitation” are all so peaceful and welcoming. Thank you for your floral post today!
“gathering strength from my own will to be a gardener.” Yes. Sometimes we have to be our own shoulder for the weight. I’m glad you have a garden at school, too! Brava for the multi-modal poem!
Oh, those last two lines! This is just lovely. I just do some planter boxes on our deck railing each summer–plenty of work just for that! (I say, as a non-gardener.) But I’m gathering strength now for the prep work. The deck needs to be repainted/sealed, so we need to move the table and chairs, etc., inside so I can wash the deck this weekend. Next weekend, painting. Bah. But I can’t wait to be out there enjoying trees and birds and flowers. Thanks for your poem–it makes me remember why this prep work is worth it!
Your post is an inspiration, Margaret! It’s just getting warm enough (and dry enough!) to get to work outside. Now, though, I’m torn between gardening and writing poetry about gardening!
“a baptismal blessing” indeed, Margaret! My purple salvia isn’t flowering yet, but the dark red ones have one blossom each. 🙂
Margaret, I love that you saved the flowers to gift to friends. What a beautiful gesture! And there is such wisdom in your poem – the chores, the hard work, but the “bliss of blessing…an invitation” – May is spring and spring is new growth. Here’s to the butterflies!
Ah, Margaret, we have such a lot in common! I would feel bound to rescue the beautiful plants as well! Your poem speaks to my heart – you had me at salvia and milkweed! I am hopeful our landscape will become colorful soon. The flowers fill my soul with hope and gratitude. Thank you!