by Celia Warren
You probably know that a collection of poems by lots of different poets is called an anthology. But did you know that the root meaning of the word 'anthology' is 'a collection of flowers'? Poets use it metaphorically, but you could try collecting – or writing – your own anthology, or collection of flower poems? Now is a perfect time to start, when more flowers are coming into bloom daily, in the burgeoning spring.
Go and observe a flower closely and write down any thoughts, feelings, moods or words that come into your head inspired by the flower. Does it open and close at dawn and dusk, like the daisy (day's eye)? Can you blow its seeds to tell the time, as you can the dandelion? If you don't know the flower's name, look it up, or ask a knowledgeable grown-up. Here's one that I wrote, inspired by some kingcups growing in my mother's pond.
If you don't have any flowers nearby to inspire you, try and write your own poem about these. They are also called Marsh Margiolds – a nice alliterative name that you could use as your title.
Kingcups
Kingcups, kingcups:
Pond in the springcups
Make me want to singcups
Gold and silver ringcups
Kingcups, kingcups,
Brothers of the buttercups
Clear the winter cluttercups
In the dusk: shuttercups
Kingcups, kingcups
Nature's lovely blingcups
Lots of lovely kingcups …
But no queensaucers.
You probably know that a collection of poems by lots of different poets is called an anthology. But did you know that the root meaning of the word 'anthology' is 'a collection of flowers'? Poets use it metaphorically, but you could try collecting – or writing – your own anthology, or collection of flower poems? Now is a perfect time to start, when more flowers are coming into bloom daily, in the burgeoning spring.
Go and observe a flower closely and write down any thoughts, feelings, moods or words that come into your head inspired by the flower. Does it open and close at dawn and dusk, like the daisy (day's eye)? Can you blow its seeds to tell the time, as you can the dandelion? If you don't know the flower's name, look it up, or ask a knowledgeable grown-up. Here's one that I wrote, inspired by some kingcups growing in my mother's pond.
If you don't have any flowers nearby to inspire you, try and write your own poem about these. They are also called Marsh Margiolds – a nice alliterative name that you could use as your title.
KingcupsKingcups, kingcups:
Pond in the springcups
Make me want to singcups
Gold and silver ringcups
Kingcups, kingcups,
Brothers of the buttercups
Clear the winter cluttercups
In the dusk: shuttercups
Kingcups, kingcups
Nature's lovely blingcups
Lots of lovely kingcups …
But no queensaucers.
© Celia Warren 2011
