Today’s Ethical ELA prompt was from Erica Johnson, to write a spring villanelle. Rhyme is always a challenge for me. I knew I wanted to write about the passion vine because it’s popping up like magic in my butterfly garden and even out in the yard. Every day it gets a little taller. What I learned in research was the connection to Christ.
“The plants were given the name Passionflower or Passion Vine because the floral parts were once said to represent aspects of the Christian crucifixion story, sometimes referred to as the Passion. The 10 petal-like parts represents the disciples of Jesus, excluding Peter and Judas; the 5 stamens the wounds Jesus received; the knob-like stigmas the nails; the fringe the crown of thorns.” wildflower.org
Purple Passion Vine
Open the door to sweet passion vine,
climbing, perky maypop
alluring fritillaries by design.
Your lavender petals a sure sign
while mysterious tendrils won’t stop.
Open the door to sweet passion vine.
Five stamens like wounds align
frilly fringe like a thorny crown top
alluring fritillaries by design.
Remind us that all life is divine,
beyond the garden you hop.
Open the door to sweet passion vine
climbing, perky maypop.
The Kidlit Progressive Poem is with Jone today.
Reflections on the Teche 
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