You are currently viewing Lily, Lilium, My Lilibet
Lily, Lilium: The Real Lily Photo by Selma

Lily, Lilium, My Lilibet

Lily, Lilium, my Lilibet
Fount of Honor
the real lily,
quite at home
in my yard
accolades abound

Now, your leaves,
feuillemort
like the moths that visited--
no gun salute or title changes
will proclaim you
less sovereign
nor replace my
love for you

We're just passing through,
you susurrated to me once.
Our purpose here
is to observe
to learn
to grow
to love
and then,
we return home
I curtsy:

Happy trails,
Lovely Lily
Royal Orenda

every fiber of you is service;
every detail signed off by you--
rest in power,
rest in peace, my Lilibet

© 2022 selmamartin.com

feuillemort: (not comparable) Of the color of dead or dying leaves: dull yellowish or
orangish brown. (I’m comparing it to the mysterious color that appeared on the queen’s
right hand).

susurrus: a whispering, murmuring, or rustling sound

orenda: extraordinary invisible power believed by the Iroquois Native Americans to
pervade in varying degrees in all animate and inanimate natural objects as a
transmissible spiritual energy capable of being exerted according to the will of its
possessor.


This late post was penned for dVerse, Poetics: There’s a Word For That, where Mish,
who’s hosting, asks if I suffer from logolepsy.
Funny! No, I don’t suffer from it; I relish in it: love the foreignness of the words
in my mouth. But apart from a few of these beauts– like susurrus, I hardly ever use
these bulky words in my poems.

Coming from me, the words would sound too sesquipedalian– I’d start out bumfuzzled,
wouldn’t know how to pronounce them. I write poetry with my late mother in mind, you
see (She knew susurrar in Spanish; my mother adored the queen of England, btw).

And so, if I feel Mother wouldn’t grasp the meaning of a word right away, I move on to
something more ‘ordinary.’

Um, I’ll wait for that kind of munificence to strike me. Until then, ordinary it is. But I’m
happy with the prompt dear Mish. Lovely.

Thanks for reading.
Belize is part of the
Commonwealth of Nations
And so,
I’m sending condolences to the
people of the United Kingdom
and the queen’s family.

I wish you miracles.

Selma Martin
Follow me
Latest posts by Selma Martin (see all)

This Post Has 41 Comments

  1. Sadje

    A beautiful tribute Selma

  2. passionfortruths

    Big words..ha..ha.. never heard of them before..but I like Orenda. Have a great day 🤗🤗🤗

    1. Selma Martin

      Orenda IS a great word for sure. Thanks for reading/commenting. I laugh too 😂 XoXo

  3. Ellie Thompson

    This is so beautiful and so fitting, Selma. As a UK citizen, I am incredibly sad about the loss of our wonderful Queen. Xxx 💖

    1. Selma Martin

      Wonderful Queen. A Saddened world but a star in the heavens now. And tonight a full moon? How cool! 🤗

      1. Ellie Thompson

        A sad world indeed. As I write, I’m watching the ceremony where King Charles is about to take the throne for the first time. I wasn’t aware that there was going to be a full moon tonight. I’ll be looking out for that. Did you hear that, shortly after the Queen passed away, there was a rainbow in the sky over London. How special is that? Xx 🦢🤗🌹

        1. Selma Martin

          A rainbow… how gorgeously regal. It’s perfect for her majesty. It took her last breath to heaven. I love it. Thanks. And glad for the news straight from the UK. Blessings.

  4. writingpresence

    A most touching and skiful tribute to the death of our Queen, and honouring the impermanence of all things. Thank you x

    1. Selma Martin

      My absolute pleasure. Blessings on your new day. xoxo

  5. Nope, Not Pam

    Beautiful, I really felt it

  6. memadtwo

    Beautiful Selma. A singular flower indeed. (K)

  7. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    Lovely tribute, Selma. The Queen leaves behind a tremendous legacy. She is admired by people around the world. <3

    1. Selma Martin

      She had an admirable heart.
      Thanks, Cheryl. Xo

  8. Tricia Sankey

    Exquisitely penned, Selma! I think you are right about our purpose here and the Queen will be missed by many nations! ♥️

  9. Ingrid

    What a lovely tribute: I like your comparison with the flowers!

  10. Jaya Avendel

    How timely and felt this tribute is! It is sweet and strengthening. 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      Jaya, so happy you read and found it of value. Thanks, dear one. Blessings. xoxo

  11. rajkkhoja

    Very greatest tribute. So excited words write in. All are missed the Queen. And you recommend the white Lily.

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes, Raj, the lily is the flower I recommend. She was one of a kind lily. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessing you.

  12. Cindy Georgakas

    Such a beautiful tribute Selma. The lilies scent lingers as love fills the room!

  13. Jules

    From all that I have read, Queen Elizabeth gave her whole self to service. May she rest in peace.

Thanks for stopping. Comments mean the world to me. Won't you please leave one?