When Erica over at Verselove offered an invitation to write about flowers, I knew immediately that I would write about the California state flower: the golden poppy. Poppy’s feel like my alter ego–they open up in the warmth of the sun and close and duck their heads when the weather cools and the sky is cloudy.
On my first day back in the classroom after a week away for spring break, I knew I wasn’t up for the technicalities of crafting a villanelle. Instead I opted for the simplicity and constraint of an etheree: a ten line poem that begins with one syllable and builds to ten in that tenth line.
Ode to the California Golden Poppy
Pop
of gold
on roadsides
California
golden poppies sing
delicate beautiful
dancing in the warm breezes
It’s spring! I’m here! Pay attention!
Carpets of gold ignite the hillsides
pure California sun in a blossom
Thinking Through My Lens 
Kim,
What a gorgeous poem and photo. I love the message from the poppy: “It’s spring! I’m here! Pay attention!” I think we can all take that advice and be healthier for it.
I love California poppies too! I have stories from my childhood about them. We should each write series of poems of poppies we remember.
I keep remembering that super bloom year where people where literally blocking the freeway offramps to take selfies in the hillsides full of poppies! Oh, California! (And yes, I’m a native.)
I love both the poem and the photo. The etheree is the perfect form choice, paralleling the transformation from bud to carpet of blossoms!
Thanks! I thought I was taking the easy way out, so I appreciate your thoughts on the form!
I would love to see “Carpets of gold ignite the hillsides”.
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