Among five daughters,
she was black orchid among roses.
Deep-purple veins on mid-wife's hands, she believed in destiny.
Upon meeting him, wanted to marry him
though he was playful with ladies.
No cussing tongue, wild temper, stopped his wandering eye.
Drama and fireworks were their bed pillows.
When he unexpectedly died, Grandma withered,
palest velvet-rose.
Posted for: D'verse Poets Pub: Writing characters
and Flash Fiction Friday - Write a story in 55 words for the the G-man.
Picture credit: here
Aww... there is so much truth in a couple dying very close together. It's as if it is already decided that even in death, they mustn't be apart. So sad for your grandmother to e left to wither because that's exactly what can happen when you've shared lives for that long.
ReplyDeleteVery touching write Grace
Thanks Bren for the lovely words and visit ~
DeleteA black orchid among the roses - that with his loss faded into a pale rose herself. How extraordinarily expressive that is. A well told tale that explicates the woman as it unfolds!
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated with the black orchid and thought it perfect to describe her ~ Thanks Gay ~
DeleteSeen it a few times that when one goes the other quickly fades, sad indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks the visit Pat ~
DeleteSuch drama, such a story in 55! I love this...and I wonder do black orchids fade to pale pink as they age/die? (I know nothing of flowers)
ReplyDeleteI know nothing of black orchids too, except that it looks very extra ordinary in colors ~ Thanks for the visit Margaret ~
DeleteI really like the metaphor you chose to tell her story. Nicely done, Heaven.
ReplyDeleteThanks Victoria ~
DeleteWhat a beautiful flower and you use it so profoundly.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are able to pack so much in! Kudos for such fine work!
Mine is here
Have you a ROCKING AND BLESSED WEEKEND!!!
hugs
shakira
Thank you Shakira ~ Have a rocking and blessed weekend too ~
DeleteGrace, I love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ayala ~
Deletedrama and fireworks were their bed pillows...that says much right there grace....and yikes that next bit on him dying lends a lot of authenticity to it too...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support and lovely words Brian ~
Delete"No cussing tongue, wild temper, stopped his wandering eye.
ReplyDeleteDrama and fireworks were their bed pillows."
No withering at all while loving, wanting, birthing, cussing with wild temper, and then a sudden withering. I want to know more of the life of this strong woman who knew what she wanted.
She was my grandmother Susan, father's side. I wrote about her before here:
Deletehttp://a-sweetlust.blogspot.ca/2012/02/grandmas-words.html
Thanks for the lovely visit Susan ~
Oh, Yes. Just reread it and still agree with what I said then: What an amazing woman. Her vehemence surprised me!
Delete"not until"--all of that experience! all of that! Oh my.
" . . . can you hear
the song of wild beauty, mighty
strong to pierce and heal your feeble heart ~"
So sad... but lovely still the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie ~
DeleteGrace...
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartfelt story.
I clung to every word...All 58 of them!!
But you My Friend have G-Papal Dispensation!
Always a class act you are, thanks for playing
And have a Kick Ass Week-End
I checked the word counter, its 55 words, the 3 are hyphenated
Delete:-)
Thanks for the visit G-man ~
love, it seems to me, has nothing to do with good behaviour. it just is. And some of us are attracted to rascals, cuz rascals have a special flutter to their heart. Maybe we want a piece of the flutter.
ReplyDeleteI love the black orchid metaphor. I'm usually written as a thistle.
really nice piece, Grace
rick
A thistle, prickly... ~ I think some of us want the excitement and thrill of loving/hating the rascal who flutter our heart ~
DeleteThanks for the visit. I appreciate them.
Gorgeous pairing of words and image. You painted a great character!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by my "short and provocative" post about Joan of Arc. It wasn't written for the dVerse prompt (to write a character), instead, it was for a couple other prompt (to write in response to the character). Victoria encouraged me to link it regardless. So thanks for stopping over. :)
this is sweetly sad... nice
ReplyDeleteI always wonder about those women who go for the bad-boys with a life of love/hate...some people thrive with that and need the "drama". Love how she started out the black orchid and became a "palest velvet-rose"...poor dear. Beautifully done, Grace.
ReplyDeleteImage...gorgeous!
ReplyDeletePoem...stunning...break your heart pith of words...every word/line broke my heart with authentic voice- :D inlove
Deep-purple veins on mid-wife's hands...great...sometimes it's cool and sometimes not so cool to be the black orchid among roses...sad on the withering...love just takes the wrong turns sometimes
ReplyDeleteLove trumps all, even death. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI see him as a rogue, an enigmatic man and passionate...of course their love went deeper....she carried a devoted torch..I love the pale velvet rose petals left...as they do change in color when wilting ...perfect image for this@
ReplyDeletestunning! image, words, you!
ReplyDeletenice. very.
The black orchid is a perfect image that in your hands becomes a superb metaphor. Convincing throughout, a delightful and moving poem.
ReplyDeleteOh! You caught me off guard with the ending. Sad, but beautiful write.
ReplyDeleteIt's traumatic,an emptiness. The loneliness is enough to strangle any activity into nothingness! Nicely done Heaven!
ReplyDeleteHank
Classic tale that only those in the marriage knows what works
ReplyDeleteSo very sad and yet beautiful in its wonderful metaphor.
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Now that is living dangerously ! great piece, a dark orchid -thanks!
ReplyDeletestunning! sad!
ReplyDeleteA very effective metaphor, Heaven. And the beauty of black flowers is subtle and striking, because they are so rare. Lovely 55.
ReplyDeleteSo sadly beautiful and romantic. Is there really such thing as a black orchid?
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put...nice write.
ReplyDeleteI really like the contrast of the two flowers and the story in between of course.
ReplyDeletedeeply gorgeous in color and metaphor. i like this poem very much.
ReplyDeleteNow, THAT'S a story in 55 words. ;-)
ReplyDeleteJust Beautiful. Is your image copyrighted? It is stunning. I am searching for a truly Black Orchid photo or actual plant. Your pic came up just searching for images which is how I found your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi there ! I included the picture credit - its here: http://weheartit.com/entry/34457919
DeleteThanks for the visit ~