Black-eyed Susan

Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by photographer and poet, Carol, Here at her blog Beyond Literacy. Thank you for hosting, Carol.

I have been busy revising my novel in verse after a trusted friend read it. When I began writing, over twenty years ago, I had no idea how long it would take me to become a writer. But I’ve finally fictionalized members of my family and have enjoyed getting to know them and myself as characters.

Soon I’ll be traveling out west again to visit my son and I’ll be looking for pictures and poems to share. But today, I will share something beautiful in my yard. These flowers are fading, but that seems to add more beauty. There a diversity in color here, shades of brown against the yellow and green. 

BLACK-EYED SUSANS IN FALL

September colors,
different hues--
Do I see 
the best of you?

Your eyes so shocking,
in a yellow blaze
each flower in its
autumn faze.
.
But still you seem,
quite calm, unrushed,
and settled in
the evening hush. 
 
© Janice Scully 2023 (Draft)








13 thoughts on “Black-eyed Susan”

  1. Janice, how wonderful to be reminded that in any “faze” [ yay! for poet-made words] we are beautiful & true. I love the potency & eloquence these natural beauties, arriving at this autumn change, brought out in YOU.

    1. Thank you, Jan. This was a first draft, and still not sure about “faze.” But I do think that the autumn faze can be more beautiful in certain ways and I’m glad you had that as a take away. 🙂

  4. Janice, your choice of wording (such as quite calm, unrushed, settled in, evening hush) allows me to sink into the beauty of fall. Black-eyed Susans are always stand-out flowers.

  5. Janice,
    I love your poem about the Black-eyed Susans. I bought two rather large plants of these this fall and they are still stunning in my landscape here despite some colder nights. Plus, they’ve drawn in the bumblebees. Thank you for sharing your fall faze poem! Enjoy your trip to see your son!

  6. I’m noticing the same blend of burnished blooms as my shasta daisies and coneflowers take turns shining, then waning. I won’t love seeing the last one wilt – but the time draws near. Our overnight temps are low-30’s now. Sigh…but that also means the maples will take over offering their color bursts.
    🙂

  7. oooooh! I love Black-eye-Susans. They are definitely a favorite memory from home. Hooray for your novel in verse making it to the next stage. This is what I didn’t understand about writing…how each stage is unique and always involves more growing. Keep writing!

  10. Beautiful capturing of the “Black-eyed Susan” Janice, I like the excitement of color in your images contrasting with the calmness in your last stanza. Congrats on your novel, and happy end of Summer, thanks!

Comments are closed.