I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community.
My anticipation grew as I walked from the parking lot, up the stairs, and into the east conservatory at Longwood Gardens yesterday. I opened the door and there it was – that incredible perfume – from hundreds and hundreds of orchids.
As I made my way to the children’s garden to begin my shift, I began to notice the colors – the whites and yellows and purples and reds – giving way to blue. And then I remembered that this was a transition week. The winter blues festival starts this weekend, so flowers boasting every conceivable shade of blue were being planted for display. I noticed primrose, blue coleus, hydrangea, pansies, and a spikey new-to-me plant called Pride of Madeira. Since I had some time I was able to scout out the rare and fleeting Blue Poppies. These beauties are native to the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains, but at Longwood they are magically cultivated for a short time, about two weeks, in the conservatory in early spring.
I was reminded of the book by Eileen Spinelli If You Want to Find Golden, except in this case I would have to say “If You Want to Find Blue.”
If you want to find blue
Look for it in the hydrangeas and coleus
Lining the path of the garden walk.
If you want to find blue
Let the giant blue poppies
Transport you to the tops of the Himalayas.
If you want to find blue
Come to Longwood Gardens
And enjoy the Winter Blues Festival.
Imagine the Possibilities 
As soon as I read Longwood Gardens, I instantly recalled my handful of visits there! What a place! And I love how it inspired your poem, today!! Lucky you to work shifts there!!
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I am there, Rosie! Your piece today makes me yearn for Longwood Gardens. I think Ralph and I will make time for a walk this Sunday to see the “winter blues.” It has been a long time since I used Eileen Spinelli’s mentor text to write some color poems. Maybe I will try to write one during Slice. Thanks for writing that helped me to imagine the sights and smells of a magical place.I love this line: “Let the giant blue poppies transport you to the tops of the Himalayas.”
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True blue is surprisingly rare in flowers! Thanks for a lovely piece and images that I find very welcome on this drab day. I’ll take away the pleasure of noticing color.
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Good gosh, the photos and the poem are beautiful!
I told Isabelle you volunteer at the garden and that we’re going to take a trip to visit this summer. She can’t even imagine how amazing it’s going to be.
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Would love to meet you there!
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I so want to visit these gardens… your posts about it are always magical! Love the photos and the poem. I have to keep reminding myself that slicing poetry is an option. It is not my go-to structure. Always a goal for me!
Clare
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Beautiful photos and poem! I marvel when I find blue flowers, they seem magical.
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We were hoping to get to Longwood Gardens to see the orchids this year. We really enjoyed the trip last year. I know there is still some time so hopefully we might still get to see the orchids.
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I was drawn to read because I love to find blue- it’s my favorite color. Glad it was about blue flowers… love the poem!
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