Blue Flag Iris .....

Acrylic on canvas faced board 33cm x 41cm

What is it about irises
in the garden
whether blue flag or yellow,
deep purple, white with red
why do they catch the attention, the imagination
more than lesser blooms?
A certain allure
that Georgia O’Keeffe didn’t taint
a beauty that draws you in
to ponder and marvel on
a delicacy that is real
but a perennial that wears well
the seasons in England too
bitter cold and short summers
a herald for the Spring
whether in bog or flower bed

Sunflower .....

Acrylic on canvas 38cm x 46cm

I see you there in glory shining bright,
Following the sun and its path of light.

Standing tall above all others in the field,
You grow, conquer, and do not yield.

Stargazer .....

Acrylic on canvas 38cm x 46cm


Every second, I am a stargazer
Every minute, I am a stargazer

Every hour, I am a stargazer
Every day, I am a stargazer

Chrysanthemum ......

Acrylic on canvas 38cm x 46cm

The rose is called the queen of flowers,
Surrounded by her sisters fair,

A lovely throng of beauties rare,
She holds her court 'mid summer bowers,
'Neath smiling skies of sunny blue,
Gayly they bloom the summer through
Brightening all the golden hours.
But when the autumn days have come
Then blooms our sweet Chrysanthemum.

White Tiger, fur like powdery snow .............

Eyes of sky, nose of rose,
fur like powdery snow.

Glistening teeth, sharpened claws,
These weapons are not for show.

Stalking your prey, graceful yet fierce,
Holding your tail like ice.

More cunning than a fox, swift as a hawk,
Your enemies need to think twice.

Stripes of raven, nature so calm,
Who can compare to such beauty?

Iris

Iris, most beautiful flower
~
Iris, most beautiful flower, Symbal of life, love and light; Found by the brook, and in the meadow, Or lofty, on arable height. You come in such glorious colours, In hues, the rainbow surpass; The chart of colour portrays you, In petal or veins of your class, You bloom with the first in Winter, With the last, in the Fall, you still show; You steal the full beauty of Springtime. With your fragrance and sharp colour glow. Your form and beauty of flower, An artist's desire of full worth; So Iris, we love you and crown you, MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ON EARTH!
~
Poem by Edith Buckner Edwards

Umbrellas

Umbrellas

Under a toadstool crept a wee Elf,

Out of the rain to shelter himself.

Under the toadstool, sound asleep,

Sat a big Dormouse all in a heap.

Trembled the wee Elf, frightened and yet

Fearing to fly away lest he get wet.

To the next shelter--maybe a mile!

Sudden the wee Elf smiled a wee smile.

Tugged till the toadstool toppled in two.

Holding it over him, gaily he flew.

Soon he was safe home, dry as could be.

Soon woke the Dormouse--"Good gracious me!

"Where is my toadstool?" loud he lamented.

--And that's how umbrellas first were invented.