The Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum)
The Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum)
(edited 18th March 2021)
Continuing the communing with nature theme
it entered my house via Karel,
a present from his father, wrapped
in an edition of El Pais,
which unravelled revealed a strange
cantilevered plant, four thin arms extended
in a fine high-wire balancing act,
at each tip an inviting mouth
scented, honeyed syrup dripping
from a green clitoris inviting kisses,
framed by twinned labia fragile drooping,
and crowned by a rising dove full winged.
many hours were spent observing,
shepherding flies into the room,
mentally guiding, soft landing them
into its welcoming pink maw.
such spaces I am familiar with –
intriguing, subtly enticing –
my wife’s sweet snug drawing me in
and caught I unwilling to leave.
so too I watch these flies descend,
sinking surrender, slowly accept
this bloom’s their final place of rest.
Bravo! This should be nibbed. Such a tantalising evocation of the Orchid as, what? Sexual?
the enticing feminine? ‘come in to my parlour’ I enjoyed this.
D.
D, they are extremely sexual – though some would argue that is in the eye of the beholder! I was introduced to orchids by a friend, Karel, mentioned in the poem, and his father was an avid collector, and even had a specially constructed room – climate controlled – to house all his specimens. The trick is to water them with cold tea, then sit back and watch them blossom!
Orchids are fascinating flowering plants. Your poem does this flower justice, a poetic version of a voluptuous Georgia O’keeffe painting.
CW, that is high praise indeed. Thanks.
A very interesting poem cleverly illustrated in words.
Beautiful flowers with so much folklore. They certainly look erotic. When I flew Thai Air they used to give orchid flowers to the passengers as they disembark. Dunno if the still do this.
You seem to have acquired a carnivorous one 😉
G, It’s not really carnivorous, but went with the theme that I was building in the poem! With the slipper orchids the flies / insects fall into the labellum and have to climb back up past the anthers and it plays into the fertilisation ploy of these flowers.
I’d call it the erotic sublime. I love the last four lines.
“and caught I unwilling to leave.
so too I watch these flies descend,
sinking surrender, slowly accept
this bloom’s their final place of rest.”
Very interesting.
Thank you for reading, S.
Well, look what happened to the flies…so keep a safe distance young man.:-)
A very cleverly crafted poem. Congrats on the nib.
Alison x
Thank you Alison.