The Unintentional Death of an Orchid

The Unintentional Death of an Orchid

Why do they think that I must drink
I am waterlogged to the brink
My magenta blooms do frown
As my roots will surely drown
Orchids love humidity
And never morbidity
Why do they think that I must drink
I am waterlogged to the brink


Copyright © 2022 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved


Grace is hosting D’Verse Poets tonight. She has prompted us to write an Octelle
The Octelle, created by Emily Romano, is a poem consisting of eight lines using personification and symbolism in a telling manner. The syllable count structure for this verse is 8, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, and the rhyme scheme is aa/bb/cc/aa. The first two lines and the last two lines are identical. This is my first time using this form.

  41 comments for “The Unintentional Death of an Orchid

  1. Anonymous
    August 20, 2022 at 8:52 pm

    I confess, I may be an orchid killer too! Have since given up trying to grow plants. Definitely DO NOT have a green thumb. lol

    • Christine Bolton
      August 21, 2022 at 7:36 am

      Lol 🤣 I must admit some are very difficult but overall it’s not too hard. We always overwater and that’s the problem.

  2. August 12, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    I hope this orchid is heard as he articulates his issue quite well. 😉 A refreshing personification here.

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      LOL! Thanks Mish ☺️💕🌺

  3. August 12, 2022 at 4:53 pm

    I hear ya, pretty orchid!
    Love this, Christine. 😊❤️

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      I think I have become the Orchid Whisperer 🤣🌺 Thanks Punam

  4. sanaarizvi
    August 12, 2022 at 12:24 pm

    I absolutely love this, Christine! 😍 The title itself is such a hook! Gorgeously rendered 💖💖

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      I’m so happy you liked it Sanaa ☺️💕🌺

  5. sanaarizvi
    August 12, 2022 at 12:22 pm

    The title itself is such a hook! 😍 This is gorgeously rendered, Christine! ❤❤

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 6:33 pm

      Thank you so much Sanaa! ☺️🌺

  6. VJ
    August 12, 2022 at 12:21 pm

    Oh dear – I am guilty of this

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 6:32 pm

      Oh so many of us are VJ ! 😐

  7. August 12, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Understanding as much about nurturing orchids as possible is important in helping them prosper. Thank you for this beautifully crafted remainder.

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      Yes, its such a shame to lose one when it wasn’t necessary

      • August 13, 2022 at 6:25 pm

        Agreed. I feel the same way.

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      Thanks Joyce. ☺️💕

      • August 13, 2022 at 6:25 pm

        You’re welcome!

  8. Jane Dougherty
    August 12, 2022 at 6:52 am

    Nobody every reads the instructions, do they?

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 8:50 am

      Nope! Lol ☺️

  9. August 12, 2022 at 2:55 am

    Been there and done that! Poor orchid. Lovely poem

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 8:51 am

      You are not alone Sadje 🤣❤️🌺 Lol

      • August 12, 2022 at 11:49 am

        😛

  10. August 12, 2022 at 1:40 am

    I nearly drowned one of my orchids due to the extreme weather in the UK. I’ve now moved it from my kitchen windowsill to a cooler place in my dining room.

    • Christine Bolton
      August 12, 2022 at 8:55 am

      They are worth the effort if understanding their minimal care. We think they are high maintenance, but they really aren’t ☺️💕

  11. August 11, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    There’s a touch of humour here in the orchid’s voice. I enjoyed this poem. So different and unique.

    • Christine Bolton
      August 11, 2022 at 11:58 pm

      Thank you Nitin. There is an orchid at work and i have had to put on note on it that says “Please don’t give me water. I have just had a drink”. Its all I can do to stop others trying to be helpful and watering the plant that doesn’t need it. 😧🤣

  12. August 11, 2022 at 11:12 pm

    Great title. Lovely use of the Octelle form. 🙂

    • Christine Bolton
      August 11, 2022 at 11:53 pm

      Thank you Kitty ☺️💕

  13. August 11, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    Perfect personification, we must listen to the orchids! ❣️

    • Christine Bolton
      August 11, 2022 at 11:54 pm

      Yes! They are dying to be heard Tricia 🤣🌺

  14. August 11, 2022 at 8:30 pm

    Clever and oh so true! 😁

    • Christine Bolton
      August 11, 2022 at 9:07 pm

      Yes. We are murderers! 🤣

  15. August 11, 2022 at 8:16 pm

    Oh no, for the death of an orchid. It takes a lot of care & patience to take care of orchid and waterlogged them to death. Love your title too!

    • Christine Bolton
      August 11, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      Phew! Thanks Grace. I’m happy I got it right. ☺️

  16. August 11, 2022 at 8:09 pm

    You have to have a special knack to keep orchids happy, I think. Their epiphytic system is finicky. I’m guessing they love Florida weather.

    • Christine Bolton
      August 11, 2022 at 8:57 pm

      Indeed they do Lisa. There are here in abundance and for sale everywhere. People gift them all the time and the recipient rarely knows how to care for it. The need to keep watering always kills it.
      I like keeping mine outside for maximum humidity although I mess up sometimes and the summer rains kill them. Best to get them out of the pot and let them cling to the palm trees.

      • August 11, 2022 at 9:00 pm

        I had a wood dishwashing rack I tried to get them to cling to when I had them, but it seemed I never sprayed them enough to keep their epiphytes wet and they didn’t do well. I’d love to see them growing on palm trees!

      • Christine Bolton
        August 11, 2022 at 9:04 pm

        Its a lovely sight to see them clinging. Some people just hang them in their trees in square, slatted hanging boxes. A very pretty sight too ☺️💕

  17. Gillena Cox
    August 11, 2022 at 7:55 pm

    Orchids are exqusite blooms. Luv them.

    Happy Thursday.

    Much💖love.

    • Christine Bolton
      August 11, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      Me too Gillena. Thanks for stopping by! Always a pleasure to see you here ☺️💕

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