I’m on my walk; it’s just on 6am
The cool air is invigorating
I’m surrounded by the silence of the morning
Shattered by the occasional worker
Driving through my thoughts.
I pass by the gardens resplendent in orchids
Their bright yellow so boldly displayed
As if not a worry in the world.
My mind is as always filled with thoughts
Of change and sacrifice
Of understanding and commitment.
Above all its trust that I must generate
From within me and without me,
The call for an alternative
From what I thought was the simple and direct
Is not so easy when I see suffering
My heart aches that I am responsible.
There is beauty all around me
I see it in every step I take
And in my mind there too is beauty
That I have to allow mend, repair,
Find its way to where it needs to be
To rejoice in its own brand of freedom
Far from impedance.
I pick one bloom
Hold it to my nose
Take in its scent.
Looking into its rich yellowness
I see an inner strength and passion
But on touching it I sense its vulnerability
Its fragile nature needing to be nurtured
And even when its brittleness is threatened
I know it will restore again.
I smile for it grounds me there and then
As I remember why I am doing this
That someone far more worthy than me
Awaits me in the midst of these yellow orchids.
I step more lively now
Awake and alert to my purpose.
Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/photo-challenge-95-january-12-2016/
Morpethroad 
Lovely, Michael! A clever balance between pain and beauty. Check 3rd line; should it be ‘by?’
Thank you Karen, corrected the error…always one slips through.
I’m working on a short story for the local comp too….
Good luck, Michael! Hope the writing is going well.
Well it’s going Karen, and nerve wracking.
😀
There is such an inherent beauty in this piece Michael – it stops me in my tracks – so reflective and quiet – peaceful. It is captivating – much as the orchids – and I am totally awed [3rd time a charm?] by what you have fashioned here.
[of course, there is no doubt regarding your skills, creativity or abilities – so abundant – but the sheer beauty of the words …. breathless … ]
thanks for sharing your response to the photo challenge [truth be told, I had quite forgotten it was Tuesday]
Cheers~ Pat
Thank you Pat, it was at first quite a challenge but then I equated it to my own life and away I went….
you did such an incredible job with this – really – it is truly special – and very well done 🙂
Thank you.
Nicely done. Good imagery, but better feeling to it.
Thank you so much for your comment and for stopping by my blog…
I especially love the final two lines– its like that lightbulb moment when it all makes sense. I love that feeling. Very poignant piece, Michael.
Thanks Mandy, some times that is what can happen when you see through the fog of every day and see the big picture and realise what part you must play in order to reach the middle of the garden and thereby claim the most precious bloom in the midst of the orchid garden. How’s that for a metaphorical response…..lol?
It’s a splendid realization and a perfect metaphor 😊
Thank you I thought so too👍😄😀😄
I once knew a deaf woman who raised orchids in a green house. for the longest time I didn’t know the vanilla bean was the seed of one type of orchid. I thought the flower was endangered in some way. To have them in abundance to pick and share – romantically amazing.
Daffodils are quite hardy. Most folks do what is called ‘dead heading’ to fold back or cut the greens after the bloom is finished to make the bulb grow stronger. I knew some folks who chose not to did up some flower bulbs when pouring tar to widen their drive and the bulbs broke through!
This is beautiful.
Thank you Joy, happy you thought so.
Hello Michael! I hope you are doing well.
I am fine Joy just out of town this week so can’t post anything. Catch you next week.
Enjoy your time away!