Welcome to my Poetry Friday post!
Each spring I delight in the abundance of peonies produced on the six bushes that line the fence in my side garden. They reach their heads toward the sun then suddenly, almost overnight it seems, burst into beautiful blossoms. I try to bring in as many as I can and give away bouquets to neighbors and friends. Depending on the weather, they don’t have a long life. A day of rain will send them flopping to the ground. Add in some wind and it will be time to say goodbye sooner rather than later. But I am always thankful for their beauty, fragrance, and the memories they bring for however long they stay.
Because I’ve been working on trinets this week, I wrote one about the bittersweet task of cutting down the last of the peonies’ fading blossoms. Thanks to Alan J. Wright who introduced me to this form. A trinet has seven lines. Lines 3 and 4 each have six words; the other lines have two words each.
The Last of the Peonies
spring’s final
peony blossoms
in a vase of cool water
remind me of each life’s fragility
petal drooped
fragrance filled
sweet goodbye
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli
Tracey has the round up today at Tangles and Tales where she’ll have you thinking about inspiration (and food!). Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Those peonies are gorgeous. I always with peony season were longer! I love them so!
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Thanks, Marcie. Me too!
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We have a small cluster of peonies, but each year there are fewer flowers and more of a chalky powder on the leaves. I have tried neem oil, but I haven’t been diligent. Your poem reminded me how much I miss those sweet, pale-pink blooms!
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So sorry your peonies are feeling poorly, Traci. I’ve seen that chalky powder on some of mine from time to time, too. They are in full sun which I think is important to keep the fungus growth away. The one where I sometimes notice the fungus is in partial shade, so now I cut back the branches of the dogwood near it so it gets more sun.
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Thank you for the tip! A few years ago, I moved them. Now they are under the garage roof overhang, and although they get quite a bit of sun, it may not be enough!
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This is beautiful, Rose. I’ve never had peonies–another flower I could kill, I’m sure. We sure do cherish short-lived things more…
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Thank you, Laura.
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Love your beautiful peonies and poem! Transient beauty is certainly something to be cherished.
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Thanks, Jama.
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I need to try this form. Maybe for This Photo next week? Your peonies are gorgeous and like my sunflowers, show us the fragility of life and how to love the beauty in that fragile life.
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Our poetry group used this form this week.If you read Patricia’s post you’ll see it. It often shows three verses which works well, but I think can be just as effective with one.
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Rose, what a story your poem tells, not just of the peonies, but of all of life. It’s brevity, beauty, and sweet fragrance. Lovely.
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Thanks, Denise.
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I adore peonies, but when I used to bring them into the house they always brought in stowaway ants. :) Arrgh! Yours are gorgeous and your trinet is gorgeous too.
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Thanks, Karen. Yes, the ants can be pesky. Luckily, I don’t have too many on mine.
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Peonies bring back such great memories for me…I love the scent and the lusciousness of them. Your photo is fantastic! And, I agree that the trinet form is great for a celebration of a short-season bloom. A sweet goodbye…yes.
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Thanks, Linda!
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How sweet that you try to share the peonies before the weather/time makes them falter. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, as Robert Herrick wrote.
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It seems the structure of the trident was perfect for your subject, those gorgeous peonies. Fragrance filled/sweet goodbye is perfect for these short lived tender flowers. Enjoy them while they last!
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