Poetry and greenhouses

10 Mar 2015

Poetry and greenhouses

Wouldn’t if be wonderful to have the sort of greenhouse that could grow exotics like these orchids? But it would be a lot of work to look after, so I’m probably better off without.

Looking at the picture did make me wonder if there is any poetry about greenhouses, and, of course, there is. I found a whole page of them at Hello Poetry, starting with:

I like to think of people as a greenhouse
We are only a short moment in history
We can be radiant and beautiful …

apparently written by someone who signs himself ‘Drunken State’. I think one has to be a member of Hello Poetry to understand their system fully.

Theodore Roethke also wrote poems with greenhouses in them, though his seem to be more about memory than giving priority to the building.

It’s less effort, and less expense, to read web pages and admire photos than to care for a mass of unusual plants. But I’m really glad that someone takes the trouble.

Posted in Out and about, Poetry and tagged greenhouse, poetry, Theodore Roethke

9 thoughts on “Poetry and greenhouses”

juliecround on March 12, 2015 at 10:20 am said:

I have two orchids that flourish in my kitchen. They like the steam.
As for poems about greenhouses – I have a wonderful book by Reginald Arkell published in 1934 called ‘Green Fingers.’ he writes:
Easter Day
The squire has got a greenhouse
Where Easter lilies grow
They stand beside the altar
And make a lovely show
While simple snowdrops that I send
Are hidden at the other end.

When I have got a greenhouse
My flowers will be so fine
The lilies at the altar
Will every one be mine,
And all the flowers that others send
Will decorate the other end.

When I was younger I used to recite his verses in public!

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- E A M Harris on March 12, 2015 at 12:36 pm said:
  
  Thank you for your comment and for the poem. The only time I had an orchid I kept it in the living room and it died. If I ever get another I’ll try the kitchen.
  
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kcg1974 on March 10, 2015 at 8:32 pm said:

Lovely orchids, so fragile and fragrant.

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- E A M Harris on March 11, 2015 at 9:42 am said:
  
  Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you like the orchids.
  
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  - kcg1974 on March 11, 2015 at 2:23 pm said:
    
    So lovely, always reminding me of Hawaii.
    
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  - E A M Harris on March 12, 2015 at 12:37 pm said:
    
    The flowers in Hawaii must be really something.
    
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  - kcg1974 on March 12, 2015 at 9:49 pm said:
    
    Spectacular! Orchids on nearly every tree! The colors and scents I shall never forget.
    
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Mr. Militant Negro on March 10, 2015 at 8:06 pm said:

Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.

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- E A M Harris on March 11, 2015 at 9:43 am said:
  
  Thank you so much for the reblog.
  
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e a m harris

Roaming the byways of literature