Poetry Break: “Let Me Tell You Where I’ve Been” – Ode to the Flowers of Fiji

During these Covid days of no travel, which I have great hopes will end very soon, I have taken great pleasure in the many memories my husband and I have of our travels around the globe. Of these memories, perhaps none stand out more than Fiji. 

We went there for our honeymoon in 2015. We had toyed with many places to go for this special trip, even considering a train ride across Europe at one point. In the end, though, our eyes turned to the Fiji Islands. A place I had seen photos of often, that seemed like the perfect balance between nature and relaxation, mixed with exotic, tropical adventures. We did indeed receive both in ample measure at this gorgeous island nation. 

One of the things I loved the most about Fiji was all the flowers. So many flowers, everywhere you look. As a big fan of flowers (you can view my flower photo album here), this was like a paradise for me. So, I thought you might enjoy a look at some of the beautiful flora of the Fiji islands, paired up with some rhyming verse. Enjoy! 

Red – like my heart, beating hard inside my chest

Just like rubies and garnets, the bark in the redwood forest

The color of the poppies on so many graves from war

One of three on our banner that people gave their lives for

     

Orange – like the summer, like tigers, like sun

The color I see behind my eyes after an exhausting run

Like pumpkins, like fall, my favorite time of year

Orange is the color I think of when I need to feel some cheer

Yellow – like happiness, like smiles, like spring

Golden tulips, Dandelions, like the finches that sing

Memories from glorious playtime in the park as a child

Of daisies in the prairies, of so many walks in the wild

Green – the softness under my bare toes in the grass

When I lay under a shade tree in summer, waiting for time to pass

Green like a sparkling emerald, or the lime in my cocktail glass

Green like a lucky clover, or forests that grow in mass

Blue – it makes me feel calm, like night time, like sleep

Blue like the Pacific ocean, so beautiful, so deep

Blue reminds me of winter, of ice, of snow

Of the sky when the sun comes out, or tears when I’m feeling low

Pink – so sprightly, so cheerful, so sublime

The color of my cheeks when I kissed my husband for the first time

Or the candy hearts on Valentine’s Day, with their sayings so slick

Or the cotton candy I used to eat right off of a stick

Purple – So royal, so regal, so true

Especially the real deep kind that’s oh-so-close to blue

Purple like the violets, or grapes that make the wine

Seen on many dresses, on royal robes so fine

 

All the colors of the rainbow, the flowers of Fiji possess

They fill my heart with memories, they make me feel weightless

There’s nothing in the world like flowers to put a smile on my face

And there’s nothing like the Flowers of Fiji, that beautiful, magical place.

All photos by M.B. Henry – for more from Fiji, click here

And gather round, my dear friends, for I have BIG, BIG news. I have sold my first book! With the help of my fantastic agent Lindsay Guzzardo at Martin Literary, I have received a book deal with Crooked Lane/Alcove Press for my D-Day Novel, entitled “The Wartime Girls,” aiming for a 2022 release. I am so very pleased for the opportunity to share this book with the world. Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops!