Thursday, April 2, 2009

Orchid


You stupefying
thing of blood and symmetry
cannot (want to) touch


23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooh, cool picture!

So ironic, when touching something beautiful destroys it.

(Word verification is "loses." Weird.)

jaz said...

First the picture-amazing. (And I love the color! ;) )

And the poem--how can you say so much with so few words?? It's haunting. It is just about enough to break a heart.

Sarah Hina said...

Jason, there is something so inviting, yet formidable, about the orchid's presence. I honestly can't stop staring at it.

And thanks about the photo! :) I actually desaturated the petals' color, to see those veins beneath.

(I'm sick of those screwy Blogger gods ;))

Jennifer, I thought you'd like this picture! The color speaks to me, too. ;)

I had to laugh at your comment, because I tried all day yesterday to write a substantial poem or story using this photo. This morning, I realized I couldn't contain its beauty with my words, and to let the photo speak (mostly) for itself. :)

In other words, the orchid stupefied me. :P But thank you for the very kind words!!

Catherine Vibert said...

Great shot! The words, the perfect cure for writer's block. And beautiful. Funny you should write about orchids now. I just went to an orchid show on Friday and bought TWO. They are much more like aliens from outer space than this lovely creature you have captured here.

Sarah Hina said...

Cat, I think you're onto something there, though. Orchids do have an other-worldly beauty about them. Entrancing, but ultimately mysterious.

I'm just hoping I don't kill it. I don't have a great track record with plants. ;)

(I hope I'm curing that writer's block, but I don't know if a haiku cuts it :P)

Karen said...

Beautiful! I envy poets who can say so much with so few words.

Sarah Hina said...

Karen, thank you! I do appreciate the economy of words that a haiku demands. :)

Catherine Vibert said...

Of course it counts, it starts the river! I've never been good with houseplants myself, I'm not good at scheduling with that routine watering thing. But I've been doing better here because Winter requires some greenery, you know? However, I've never ever succeeded in the past with an orchid so I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into with my new little pets. I wish us both a heck of a lot of luck.

Margaret said...

Hi Sarah, what a stunning picture, really captures the power of colours.
I'm venturing into writing a haiku and reading this superb one of yours helps me along. I found it enchanting.

Aniket Thakkar said...

"cannot (want to)" speaks a million thoughts that flash by in a second. Story of my life. :-)

I totally loved it.

@ "I actually desaturated the petals' color, to see those veins beneath. " Seriously??? Or were you just screwing with Jason there?

A beautiful Orchid indeed.

the walking man said...

Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.
Georgia O'Keefe

Flowers, especially well scented orchids are there to touch whether you desire it or not. It is why there are fingers in the olefactory.

Sarah Hina said...

Cat, I think we'll need it! I'm a little scared, I must admit. If I kill this thing, it's like a crime against nature. :P

Margaret, I'm so glad you're taking the haiku plunge! Once you start... ;)

Thank you so much for your kind words, and I really need to stop by your blog! I've been meaning to for ages. :)

Aniket, I should have been more clear! I de-saturated using Photoshop. :D

I've come to realize that I'm pretty enamored with contradictory statements like that last line. I suppose it's the tension embodied within.

Thank you for the warm words! I'm glad (or is it sorry??) that it spoke to you. ;)

Walking Man, nobody brought us inside a flower like O'Keefe. I used to live in Cleveland, and there were some gorgeous paintings of hers at the Art Museum. Mesmerizing.

And you make a very good point. Touching with those fingers in our noses, or our eyes, can be just as stimulating. Loved your comment, thanks. :)

Aniket Thakkar said...

Oh Its definitely glad... and I LOVE the bittersweet symphony! :-)

Charles Gramlich said...

Blood and symmetry. Very nice.

Sarah Hina said...

Aniket, good then. :) And you made me think of that old Verve song with your comment, so thanks!

Charles, form and fire, yes. Thank you!

Aine said...

Sorry I'm so late in commenting. :P

Love the orchid! I'm afraid that if I bought one I'd kill it just by looking at it. They seem so fragile.

There are so many beautiful things that mustn't be touched... :(

Sarah Hina said...

Aine, we'll see how long this one lasts. :) They are incredibly delicate.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

I am so late getting around again. Please believe me when I say it is not because I don't want to get here! I love your beautiful work.

What a delicate, lovely poem to go with the orchid. It is a wonder, isn't it?

I finally gave up and bought a fabulous fake orchid. I don't like anything fake - but, I get so many compliments on it that I am keeping it!!!!

Sarah Hina said...

K, artificial plants can be surprisingly life-like nowadays! And what a joy to not have to worry about killing the poor thing. :)

And please, no worries about not stopping by as often. I've been somewhat late in making the rounds, too. Real life will make its demands from time to time. ;)

Thank you for the kind words, K. A wonder, indeed.

David Cranmer said...

Perfecto, amiga!

steveroni said...

Exquisite! I did not touch the orchid--it touched me...

Sarah Hina said...

David, muchas gracias. ;)


Steve, I love that! Thank you so much for telling me. :)

Sage said...

I love the photo and the haiku