Ode to Spring Sestina
Jean Hendrickson recently gave us a love poem (To a Past Love), an homage if you will to winter (Oh February), and a coming-of-age story (Escape). It's only fitting that she should be the first writer to tie up some different pages here as well. She writes today of spring in a lovely form. After you read this go look at the prompts page and you'll hear Jean's lines echoing in your head. So this poem will be part of the prompts collection as well as part of this group of longer poems.
Ode to Spring Sestina
By Jean Hendrickson
By Jean Hendrickson
Iris! raise your bearded head
and join the tulips' blatant glow.
Arise! daffodils, you earth-bound suns
and trumpet fluted golden crowns.
Banish winter, all you blooms
and sway through spring's soft fluid air.
Release! your pink scent through the air
you primrose, vibrant curly heads.
Shine! you giant sunflower blooms,
you, prideful of your grating glow
more golden than a queen's royal crown,
turn your heads to summer's sun.
Winds! whip dogwoods toward the sun
and scatter blossoms in warm air.
Wheat! peek through crusted crown
of earth, brown as brunette beauties' heads.
Bring forth now by sun's new glow
a world of riotous reveling blooms.
Spring storms! cause the creeks to bloom
when ice melts under earth's one glow
and dragonflies thread crystal air.
Willows! bow your heavy heads,
in obeisance to spring's grassy crown.
Rooster! with your claret crown
make of your call a noisy bloom
and rouse the lazy sleepyhead,
to sing your song in morning sun.
Showers! stir the pungent air,
wash the world, renew its glow.
Children! wear your suntanned glow
and weave the clover into crowns,
banish pale winter from the air
and let spring bring your cheeks to bloom.
Arise! merry men and dance to music of the sun.
Allow your fickle hearts to rule your busy feckless heads.
Spring! With your ancient golden crown, shake us awake in early sun
Flowers, share your fragrant blooms, toss your petals in the air.
Fill our hearts and head with joy, celebrate spring's new-found glow.
Posted by Annmarie at 5/9/2010 11:18 PM 
Categories: words to linger on
Tags: spring storms flowers roosters Jean Hendrickson joy children wheat
Categories: words to linger on
Tags: spring storms flowers roosters Jean Hendrickson joy children wheat







Jean, this is magnificent. The most vivid and breathtaking poem of yours I've read.
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Jeanette, you are so kind to me!
Jean
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Jean, I love the commands!! Very nice.
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Thank you so much, Bobbie!!!
Jean
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What a beautiful, joyful poem! I love it!
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Simply brilliant from beginning to end!
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A celebration of Spring, a celebration of love, a celebration of life. Exquisite words.
Shaon
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Annmarie sent your poem, your essence of spring, your wonderful poem. It's a joy to read.
Love,
Jeanette G.
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