Like the Matron Not Even Noticed at the Wedding
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
There’s nothing sentimental in these blooms.
Chrysanthemums are only that, not filled
With red romance like roses. More like fumes
The smell of mums is nothing to be trilled
About, not fragrant in a lovely way.
Not delicate like baby’s breath, their forms
Are sturdy, only. Petals tightly splay,
Too strict, against romantic novels’ norms.
In flower arrangements mums are there to bulk
Bouquets up, nothing more, to fill up space
More cheaply. It is good that mums don’t sulk
But last a long, long while. They don’t need grace.
The Japanese revere them. They know why.
Chrysanths are all but silenced by the eye.
~ Phillip Whidden