Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PLUMERIA HARVEST, by ANNE MOTT-SMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PLUMERIA HARVEST, by                    
First Line: Bend the branches gently there
Last Line: Is gathered...Gathered...Gathered...!
Subject(s): Harvest


Bend the branches gently there ...
The pointed leaves, so dark, well-shaped,
that circle the clustered flowers,
be careful of,
that sudden jerk may not snap
the leafy-laden branch.
Garner in the blossoms now ...
velvet, soft, red blooms,
so clean and sweet and smooth
to touch; heap them lightly.
Soft they lie in your lauhala baskets,
one upon the other, resting,
caressed by wind and sun;
like clean sweet soap they smell -- or peaches,

But do not idle, pick them faster,
do not linger by the low-swinging branches
above the flower-deep auwai
that mirrors your dreaming face;
let your slim brown fingers
slip between the spear-shaped buds
pointing upward, upward,
crimson points of flame to prick blue sky.
Slip a blossom into the
brown tendrils of your hair ...
to match your full lips ...
but pick on faster, faster,
before the flowers are flattened by the sun.

Dodge the thick, white splattering sap
that each flower torn away lets fall;
heap them high!
In wind-tanned, sun-sweet baskets
gently carry from tree to tree,
bending down the small, gray branches
until the crop of soft, red, velvet flowers
is gathered...gathered...gathered...!





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