It’s Poetry Friday!
I have two dogwood trees in my front yard. They are different varieties, so they bloom at different times. One is done, but the other is currently in full bloom. Until this spring, I don’t think I ever noticed how glorious that tree is. I’d been thinking about it, then on Wednesday, Margaret posted a lovely photo by Molly Hogan on This Photo Wants to Be a Poem. I’m not sure if the tree in Molly’s photo is a dogwood, but it reminded me of mine. That bit of serendipity led me to today’s poem:
Spring, Outside and In
The dogwood in my front yard
sings with spring.
White against green,
a pin-prick of sun in the center.
She calls to wren,
“Come stop to rest.”
She whispers to azalea,
“Your color’s the best.”
I trim some branches,
arrange them in a glass vase—
Spring, outside and in.
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli
Janice has the round up today at Salt City Verse. Be sure to stop by for a picture book recommendation and a variety of poems about storms and weather.
Imagine the Possibilities 
I love a dogwood tree. We are not in the ideal climate for them this deep south, but I see them occasionally. I love how the tree calls to the wren in your poem. And the outside coming in. I currently have a spray of gladiolas given by a friend. I love flowers outside and in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret.
LikeLike
I love the description of the dogwood tree singing with spring. It is a beautiful tree – lucky you to have one in your garden in full bloom! The concept of spring being outside and in is as satisfying to me as your lovely poem. Clever ways of looking at everyday things like that is what I enjoy most about poetry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lou!
LikeLike
Rose, we have lots of dogwoods in the foothills of the Appalachians! I’ve always loved them, and they have appeared in several of my poems. I LOVE that you have personified the tree. Of course she calls to the wren! And of course she shouts out to the azaleas, who bloom at about the same time. (Paul and I were married April 6, prime dogwood and azalea time in central Alabama. So of course we used those flowers in the wedding, and since then they also speak to me of love.) xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t see it from the picture, but there is a deep pink azalea behind the dogwood. I imagined them as neighbors and what they might say to each other. And since what I love most about that particular azalea is the color, my dogwood does, too. What lovely flowers to have in your wedding!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love dogwood trees, too, and just checked the two by my house. They have not flowered yet so I have something wonderful to look forward to. As we know trees communicate and you’re captured this in your poem. How elegant those buds in your vase!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Janice. Enjoy your dogwoods!
LikeLike
Rose, there is so much happiness when the flowers outside come in. It reminds us that spring is in the air, even if it is a gray sky outdoors. Great description: a pin-prick of sun in the center.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carol!
LikeLike
What a beautiful tree! We have a couple of dogwoods too and they’re both past bloom — neither of them was as full as yours though. Love your poem, so lyrical and sweet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous tree and I love that you have it speaking, especially to the azalea. They’ve proven that trees communicate, so why not tree to shrub! I do adore your bouquet, simply gorgeous, Rose! Happy spring, inside and out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I carried a bouquet of silk dogwoods the day I got married, because we don’t have dogwoods in CA and I loved them. I kept the bouquet for a long time, before it finally began to disintegrate. How beautiful it would be to see a whole tree out my window!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bouquet of dogwoods for your wedding sounds lovely, Patricia!
LikeLike
Beautiful! I love your last line. Where I grew up there was an annual Dogwood Parade. It was a sure sign that summer was almost here. Hallelujah! What a treat you have right in your front yard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We don’t have any dogwoods, but my earliest childhood home had one and I still remember it vividly. I love that you have brought some of those gorgeous blooms in. And that it “sings with spring.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
“sings with spring” — love that, Rose!
LikeLiked by 1 person