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Are Flowers For Picking

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Are Flowers for Picking? I question myself, silently standing beside the quaint wooden kiosk in the centre of the square. My eyes scan the freshly picked assortment of roses, carnations, lilies, and orchids. The array of colours tempts, softening niggling doubts arising from tender pity. I enter the hospice, briskly making my way to her room. Her haggard face lights up, slightly masking her fragility. A wan withering rose… I swiftly hide my pain behind a loving smile and the fresh flowers in my hand. ------------------------------- Placed 1st in Brian Strand's Pick 1 Contest (April 2020)

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Anil Deo

Date: 5/2/2022 9:10:00 AM

Paul, who can feel your pain? More than I can, cut flowers do ... And jesuscweepsxas He holds U and your aging, hospice-needing spouse. I think I recall you couple's great love? Shalom shalom dear Apostle of Love

Paul Callus
Date: 5/7/2022 3:49:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by to read and comment on this poem of mine, Anil. Your recollection is a good one, my friend. Best regards // paul

Angela Crabtree

Date: 11/19/2020 7:31:00 PM

Very sad and comforting at the same time :)

Paul Callus
Date: 11/21/2020 8:56:00 AM

Yes, Angela; such is life! Thank you for visiting. Regards // paul

Elaine George

Date: 6/15/2020 6:34:00 AM

So touching and the way you refer to her as a wan withering rose. I see this whole scene so vividly. You, my friend, are a great writer. Sincerely, ~ Elaine

Paul Callus
Date: 6/15/2020 10:09:00 AM

Thank you so much dear Elaine....you are too kind! Your lovely comments are much appreciated. Take care...regards // paul

John Watt

Date: 4/28/2020 11:05:00 AM

Paul, the power of flowers to bring a smile of enjoyment of aroma, color, texture. A small sampling of nature within our walls. More touching is the visit of a friend when loneliness and illness weigh us down. Even in the sadness of these words, this is a beautiful expression of both of those joys. Blessings, John

Paul Callus
Date: 4/28/2020 12:39:00 PM

Your insightful comments are much appreciated, John...thank you. regards & Blessings // paul

John Hamilton

Date: 4/27/2020 3:38:00 PM

I echo Susan's comment, this is beautiful in it's sadness, glad to have read this today. hoping you are well Paul!

Paul Callus
Date: 4/28/2020 12:16:00 PM

Thank you, John. Considering everything I would say that life is fine:) Hope you too are keeping well and safe. Best regards // paul

Timothy Hicks

Date: 4/25/2020 12:21:00 PM

Ahhh this is heartfelt one here. The first stanza had me thinking something romantic was coming ... and then that ending colored my expectations with sadness. It's a sweet moment one is not likely to forget. Very nicely crafted, Paul (and another 1st place, eh?)

Paul Callus
Date: 4/26/2020 8:43:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by, my friend...your absence had not gone unnoticed! A pleasure to see you writing and posting again...and to read your insightful comments. Keep in touch. Regards // paul

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 4/22/2020 4:54:00 PM

Hello Paul,that was nice to give the lady that sells the flowers -to give them to her. I would think it made her day. Be safe. Enjoy your evening my friend. Regards Darlene

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 4/24/2020 6:09:00 PM

Hello Paul, you made the lady's day bright. Enjoy your evening my friend.Be safe.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/24/2020 5:41:00 PM

Thank you, Darlene. The lady was happy to see both the visitor and the flowers. ~ Have a lovely weekend my friend. Regards // paul

Jc Hawkens

Date: 4/14/2020 5:42:00 PM

Paul, this is just a touchingly Beautiful poem. It is hard to visit family and friends that are in Hospice. And this poem is a heartfelt testament to that. Bless you, sir. JC Hawkens

Paul Callus
Date: 4/16/2020 4:12:00 AM

Thank you JC. It's been a pleasure having you visit! Have a nice positive day. Regards & blessings // paul

Mohan Chutani

Date: 4/14/2020 10:14:00 AM

Paul, a touching poem, handled tenderly. Congrats. Rgds. Mohan

Paul Callus
Date: 4/14/2020 10:30:00 AM

Hello Mohan! So pleased to see you...it's been a long time...hope you are keeping well! Thank you for stopping by with lovely, positive comments. Best regards // paul

Jcb Brul

Date: 4/13/2020 7:16:00 AM

A breath-taking piece. Wonderful imagery! Be safe and well.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/13/2020 4:11:00 PM

Thank you, JCB. Pleased to make your acquaintance. You too...be safe! Regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 4/11/2020 5:44:00 AM

So sad Paul but these visits are necessary visits and are part of our life you were brave my frieHnd God Bless.warm regards and hugs Jennifer

Paul Callus
Date: 4/11/2020 1:11:00 PM

I agree with you, Jenny; such visits are not only necessary, but also a duty and a gift of love. Thank you for stopping by, my friend. Warm regards and hugs // paul

Eve Roper

Date: 4/10/2020 1:47:00 PM

Awe, a beautiful poem, Paul.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/10/2020 2:24:00 PM

Thank you, Eve; your lovely reaction is appreciated! Warm regards // paul

M. L. Kiser

Date: 4/8/2020 9:53:00 PM

Beautiful work, well penned.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/9/2020 8:52:00 AM

Pleased that you enjoyed it, ML...thank you. Regards // paul

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 4/8/2020 8:24:00 PM

Hello Paul … a lovely verse indeed. Flowers have the ability to lift the spirit in times that can appear depressing - well done Paul - Lindsay

Paul Callus
Date: 4/9/2020 8:51:00 AM

Thank you for liking and commenting, Lindsay. Best regards // paul

Panagiota Romios

Date: 4/8/2020 6:03:00 PM

Congratulations, Paul on your win. A touchingly, lovely write Panagiota xx

Paul Callus
Date: 4/9/2020 8:50:00 AM

Thank you for the comments and congrats, Panagiota. Hope you are keeping well. Regards // paul

L. J. Carber

Date: 4/7/2020 11:04:00 AM

I like the sweet, understated ending. Paul--congrats on your 1st place!

Paul Callus
Date: 4/7/2020 3:09:00 PM

Thank you on both counts, LJ. Best regards // paul

Paul Callus

Date: 4/6/2020 8:48:00 AM

I would like to thank those 'anonymous' readers who faved this poem...I very much appreciate their kindness. Warm regards // paul

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 4/6/2020 2:20:00 AM

Your poem is incredibly moving Paul! You paint a vivid picture of circumstances many of us face and you have done it with beauty and grace. Flowers bring cheer and happiness. The more I cut my roses the more they bloom so I feel it is one of God's gifts. "A wan withering rose…" What a lovely way to describe her. xxoo

Paul Callus
Date: 4/6/2020 8:36:00 AM

It is true, Connie. Picking roses allows new buds to bloom beautifully! That makes me feel better! Thank you for stopping by with such lovely and insightful comments. Warm regards // paul

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 4/4/2020 4:50:00 PM

A moral dilemma my friend Paul. In cases like this certainly the flowers should be picked for the person in question could not see the flowers otherwise! A beautiful and tender poem as the flowers you described yourself! .

Paul Callus
Date: 4/5/2020 1:26:00 PM

You are right, Demi....such a poser does cause a dilemma, and your reasoning makes sense, too. Thank you for stopping by, my friend. Regards // paul

Quoth Theraven

Date: 4/4/2020 11:13:00 AM

Paul, Favorite flowers, like those recalled in this poem, where do they all go. And will we see their bright colors again, smell their fragrant perfume, now & then. Your poem as beautiful as the heartfelt comments that adorn it. -Richard

Paul Callus
Date: 4/5/2020 1:22:00 PM

Hopefully those flowers made somebody happy before they too withered away; life is too short, both for people and flowers. Thank you for your lovely feedback, Richard. Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/3/2020 2:19:00 PM

such poignancy in this precious poem, Paul. Wonderful, Paul.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/5/2020 1:19:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea. Poignancy is certainly a suitable description! Hope you'been enjoying the weekend. // paul

Silent One

Date: 4/2/2020 7:19:00 AM

As a gardener...I think flowers should be left... Really enjoyed your poem..

Paul Callus
Date: 4/3/2020 1:48:00 PM

Thank you S-1. Unpicked flowers would also be Nature's choice, but we humans often think otherwise...usually with good intent. Regards // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 4/1/2020 4:29:00 PM

Dear Paul, my breath was caught by the beauty in the sadness as I read: 'A wan withering rose…' and had to let that sink in for a few heartbeats before exhaling slowly as I read the remaining emotionally impactful lines. You've reached into the very depths of my heart with this moving piece. So tender and evocative! Your radiant artistry never fails to amaze me, my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes and hugs always.. ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 4/3/2020 1:56:00 PM

Your lovely, insightful comments make a most welcome impact on me, dear Susan. I enjoy reading your comments as much as I love reading your poems! Thank you! ~ Warm regards & Hugs // paul

Jack Horne

Date: 4/1/2020 2:03:00 PM

heartfelt & heartbreaking write, my friend. i hope you are keeping well

Paul Callus
Date: 4/1/2020 3:49:00 PM

Thank you, Jack. So far we are all well at home; keeping vigilant and acting sensibly, without being paranoid! Best regards my friend. // paul

Heidi Sands

Date: 4/1/2020 1:12:00 PM

Very nice Paul. Well written. This reached me deeply. Take care :)

Paul Callus
Date: 4/1/2020 3:47:00 PM

I'm pleased you connected with this poem, Heidi....thank you for reading and commenting. Best regards // paul