
Flower Child
Every Sunday without fail, mother and I would walk to the station and catch the morning train to the coast to see my grandmother.
Mother would tend to grandmother’s garden, caring for roses, mowing grass and trimming bushes. I amused myself as best I could for an eight-year old but mostly I learned about flowers. Names like Peony, Hollyhock, and Delphinium. The term “bedding plants” made the child I was, giggle. But pretty blue Lobelia was prefect next to the white Alyssum.
Exhausted we’d return in the early evening with armfuls of her beautiful blooms.
I did not always want to go. I know now my mother was escaping from her unhappy life and needed the diversion. She is no longer here and I think I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace reminding me always of her.
Copyright © 2022 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing All Rights Reserved Sanaa aka adashofsunny is hosting Prosery Monday at D'Verse. She has prompted us with this line from a poem that is to be included in our piece of flash fiction exactly as it is. "I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace.” from the poem, “What I would like to grow in my Garden.” by Katherine Riegel. The piece of flash fiction is to have no more than 144 words'
Gentle meanderings along beautiful paths from childhood, Christine. Can’t think of a better way to honor your mother than by planting flowers. Such an enjoyable read.
Thank you Lisa. What I know about flowers I learned from her. It was a wonderful gift.
Nothing can remind you more of the past than such sweet scent
Yes that is so true ☺️
This is incredibly touching, Christine! I felt every word. You weave in the line by Riegel so wonderfully that for a moment it felt like it was made for your prose piece. Sigh.. thank you so much for writing to the prompt ❤❤
You are always so kind, thank you Sanaa ☺️💕
A wonderful tribute to your mother. Very heartwarming.
Thank you so much Nitin. I’m happy you thought so ☺️💕
This is a very moving piece. Nice flash Christine.
Thank you so much Darnell. I appreciate that ☺️💕
Memories can be both pleasant and painful
Yes and we can learn from them, happy or sad ☺️💕
That’s so true
A very nice nostalgic story! Well done.
Thank you Dwight. It was therapeutic for me ☺️
Poignant and beautiful in your telling.
Thank you Carol, so kind ☺️💕
Beautiful memories.
Thank you K. I enjoyed the journey back there. ☺️💕
Memories revisited with new eyes…I like this a lot, Christine.
Thank you Mish. It was a nice journey back to the future. 🥰