when I grow old
I’ll dress in purple
from my head down to my shoes
soon, butterflies will find me
sit pretty upon my head
***
© 2021 selmamartin.com
A Gogyohka for Word Craft: Prose & Poetry for the ekphrastic prompt for Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge.
For the this week, the lovely photo was provided by Lisa Smith Nelson.
I chose to write a Gogyohka, a form of free verse tanka that doesn’t require a season word. It encourages everyday speech with no rhyme.
The Gogyohka encourages an open expression of feelings and has no restraint on number of words or syllables— as long as it’s short.
Thanks for reading on this lovely November fall day, and as always, I wish you miracles.
Image Credit: Butterfly on Asters by Lisa Smith Nelson. Thanks, Lisa.
I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.
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I love this poem so much! To have butterflies mistake us for flowers is a wonderful thought. Perhaps they even accept us as, if not a flower, somewhere to rest. Why wait to grow old?
Your photo inspired me to write this one as such. Why wait, you ask? Well, because I wouldn’t choose to wear purple right now, but I reckon I might when I get older. haha. You? would you? Thanks for commenting. You rock.
Wonderful
So happy your read.Thanks, Annette.
Brilliant! I love this, Selma 🙂
Aww. Thanks, Harmony. xxoxo
💕
Amazing , Selma. Love it!💕
Sweet 0f you to say. xoxo
💕🙏💕
Beautifully written💛🌿
Deeksha, thanks. I’m so glad you read. xo
Wonderfully written, Selma!
Thrilled your read, dearest sweet Punam. xoxo
Growing up disgracefully, brilliant poem.
*bows* thanks so much. xoxo
This is such a good take on the photo and the poem (When I Grow Old I Will Wear Purple, by Jenny Joseph). Here’s a bit more to her legacy: https://laterbloomer.com/jenny-joseph/. Well done, Selma! <3
Ah, Colleen. Thanks so much. Later today I’ll add that poem you so kindly mention. It’s spectacular.
I believe I read it before. But when I was that photo last night A purple flower is all I thought of becoming.
🤣 Imagine!
You rock. xoxo
I can see you dancing in the breeze , Selma. 🌷🌺🌹
xoxo dancing, yes.
This is a beautiful take on the prompt! A stunning piece, Selma.
Aww. Thanks so very much for the encouragement.
You’re welcome!
I loved this thought Selma. Absolutely beautiful 🌷
You would do it too, then? Yay! Let’s. thanks so much.
How lovely Selma! 🦋 when my hair turns white, I will dye it ultraviolet 😃
You will? Oh, my! My is practically all white (except for the black ones *smile*) Ultraviolet, huh? That’s a brave girl. You go, Ingrid! Here’s looking at you…
I think it will be a good look for me!
I’m sure of it. Go for it.
Lovely one Selma!
Thanks, Daphny. xoXOxo
You’re welcome Selma!
love it; love the colour and the buoyancy of this 🙂
John. Thanks so much for loving this one. I appreciate you reading. Love it. Thanks a bunch. xo
I enjoy your comments too on my posts 🙂
John, You’re a good person. Glad I found you in this blogosphere we exist. Be well. See you around.
I like this, it seems quite spontaneous and without artifice. Really enjoyed it 🙂
Not Pam, you’re a gem. Thanks for the visit. I appreciate you. xoxoxo ^clapping^
You’ll be hearing so much of me you’ll be rolling your eyes. I’m a bit opinionated 😁
Ok. I’ve been warned, then… *respect*
Lovely, Selma. Truly beautiful. 💜
Hey, Gwen. Thanks so much for reading and finding it beautiful. I appreciate you. xo
I love the playful delight of this poem Selma – it offers a respectful nod to the royalty of nature, while asking and then stating, that the wish to be just as elegant will be true! Sitting pretty indeed, how could the bees not want to come and visit, sipping from such a sweet delight? 😃
Exactly. How could they not come visit. And I will be ever so happy. Colleen gave me a link to Jenny’s poem. Adorable. But I bet you’ve already memorized that one. What a delight.
Thanks for the visit. You’ve been missed.
Well there’s nothing quite like dancing to your own tune – particularly when one gracefully ages, and decides audacity is well worth it, because, why not? (of course, being oneself at any age is more than fine too, but it seems to hold less truck in youth) So then my friend, dance on and shake your purple and enjoy – red hat optional 😉
Red hat… I’m thinking to go hatless out there in the sun so I can really feel their fragile wings/legs land on my head.
The hat. Red. Will be for market day. Shopping.
Lovely idea. Thanks. Be well. I wish you miracles
Yes, letting the bees brush your hair and thrum about your head and skull is a lovely “direct connect” way to vibe in/out with them. It’s actually rather magickal when it does happen!
Sounds like a plan 🙂 – You place “first in show, best in class” for this!
place “first in show, best in class” for this! Oh my. Thank you. So happy for this honor. You rock and make me smile always. xoxo
Lovely poem, Selma. 🦋
Thanks for reading, Jeff. xo
My pleasure. Always. xoxo
I hope they do! (K)
Land on my head, right, K? Yeah, me too. Thanks for reading and commenting. xo
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I agree with Lisa… Lovely poem, Selma!
I’m so thrilled you read and enjoyed. Thanks, Jane.
You are always welcome dear ❣️