The Art of Growing and Blooming!

 "I paint flowers that do not exist, and in that moment, they become more real than the ones you see in the garden."~ Salvador Dali

We are accustomed of seeing flowers as symbols of beauty, but a surreal flower like the image above invites us to look deeper. This flower is a compass pointing inward reminding us that true growth is not always predictable; it is a journey with twists and turns.  Personal growth can be slow and at times quietly unfolds within, making the ordinary extraordinay. Images from Surrealism, such as dream-like flowers, clocks, furniture, and fruits, could be powerful symbols and metaphors to incorporate into poetry appreciation to foster personal growth and well-being. These often represent transformation in unexpected ways.

Take a moment to read the following poem,

“The Orange”, by Wendy Cope

At lunchtime I bought a huge orange

The size of it made us all laugh

.I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—

They got quarters and I had a half

.And that orange, it made me so happy,

As ordinary things often do

Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park

This is peace and contentment. It’s new.

The rest of the day was quite easy.

I did all my jobs on my list

And enjoyed them and had some time over

.I love you. I’m glad I exist.

Prompts—Try these:

 How does Cope use specific details—example, the size of the orange and how it is divided to elevate a mundane event into a moment of joy?

Think of an ordinary moment in your life that brought an unexpected sense of joy and peace.  Write a short poem capturing that specific experience and the feelings it evoked.

A surreal flower blooms when we connect. Join us on this poetic journey to unravel the symbols and metaphors within verse and uncover a new appreciation for the power of poetry.