Poetry Friday: Red Geraniums

There’s something about geraniums, especially red geraniums. I like the way they contrast with the hosta along the side of the shed. This year I purchased a large hanging plant of red geraniums and white lobelia for the corner of the patio. They are flourishing and I look forward to their cheery greeting every morning as I step out to feed the birds.

As a child, my sister and I helped my mother decorate the family cemetery plot every year on memorial day. Along with petunias and marigolds, there were always red geraniums. My sister and I continued the tradition of decorating the graves for many years after my mother died. That memory inspired this poem that was part of my April poetry project “Flowers A-Z.”

Red Geraniums

The flower boxes are ready—
marigolds, alyssum
and always
always
red geraniums.
They’ll travel to the cemetery,
decorate graves
of loved ones
long gone—
and always
always
I’ll remember
how much she loved
red geraniums.
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

Jan has the roundup today at Bookseed Studio. Be sure to stop by to learn about sijo poetry.