Photo by Gayle Walters Rose; All Rights Reserved
I had been tending this orchid for over a year. It was in full bloom when I bought it but it hadn’t bloomed since. It was hanging in the dappled shade of our small courtyard and I was fertilizing it regularly with an orchid food. It was receiving the afternoon rains during this hot and humid summer and had been putting out strong, fresh green leaves. As I puttered around my mostly, potted plants one day and glanced over at that dormant orchid, what I thought were new leaf pods had put forth large, double-twin fragrant blooms! Joy!
fireflies spark the night
breeze lifts summer kimono
quiet hush echos
Grace is our host for Haibun Monday over at dVerse Poets Pub, 3PM EST. Please see her presentation for all the details on this fun form!
Bodhirose's Blog 
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ October 3, 2016I love how orchids can bloom when you least expect them… I had a catleya once that didn’t bloom for many years until we forget it outside and found it blooming when we ignored it… love how your haiku adds the image of a warm night.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016We have many orchids hanging under our ligustrum tree by our front door. You can often ignore them and they’ll still put forth stunning blooms. Thank you, Bjorn.
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kim881
/ October 3, 2016That happened to me this year and I now have a window full of blooms in the utility room. A wonderful (extra)ordinary and a gorgeous haiku.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016We always feel especially pleased when our orchids bloom…they are extraordinary! Thank you, Kim.
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kim881
/ October 4, 2016By the way, what colours are yours?
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Bodhirose
/ October 6, 2016We have all colors of orchids from tiny white ones, yellow ground orchids, fuchsia, deep purple and pale pink. We have a lot of orchids!
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sarahsouthwest
/ October 3, 2016Such beautiful flowers. I loved sharing your joy in them. And that’s a great haiku, slightly sensuous, rather like those glorious blooms.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016This particular orchid gives us the largest blooms and the fragrance is amazing! I’m glad you enjoyed my haibun and haiku, Sarah…thank you.
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kanzensakura
/ October 3, 2016What a wondrous haibun! I’ve never had an orchid bloom for me after the first initial blooming. But your orchid is beautiful. I love the sensual haiku. It is truly breathtaking.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016High praise coming from the Queen of Haibuns…I don’t take it lightly,Toni, thank you!
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ladynyo
/ October 3, 2016absolutely lovely. I have one too, and it hadn’t bloomed for three years. A week ago I saw three blooms. Yah! But I didn’t take care of it as you did. A lovely haibun.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016Thank you, Jane. Many times you can neglect orchids and they still seem to do well as long as they get some moisture and the right light. It’s so cool when they flower!
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ladynyo
/ October 3, 2016Yes, it is. I am always worried about over watering, so I don’t water ..much. LOL!
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Brian
/ October 3, 2016It is such a surprising joy when nature blooms when you least expect it. The haiku is perfect.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016It really is a surprising joy. And thanks for your high praise of my haiku, Brian.
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Sanaa Rizvi
/ October 3, 2016Oh this is soo very heartwarming ❤️ I love the image of orchid blooming! Joy indeed ❤️
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016Yes, a true joy…thank you, Sanaa.
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Grace
/ October 3, 2016What a beautiful sight it is to see that orchid – beautiful colors to behold~ And your haiku of fireflies and summer kimono is stunning Gayle ~ Btw, I am envious of your weather now that its a bit chilly here ~
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016They really are stunning flowers and the fragrance is delightful. So glad you enjoyed my haibun and haiku, Grace. I was just thinking today how very brief your warm weather seems to last and ours seems to go on forever.
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Michael
/ October 3, 2016Brilliant flowers Gayle, my tiny orchids are just coming into flower now, but not as spectacular as yours…
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016We have tiny orchids too…very teeny tiny. They’re adorable. Thanks for coming by, Michael.
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Arcadia Maria
/ October 3, 2016A beautiful poem for beautiful flowers. Well done.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2016Thanks so very much, Arcadia.
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Miss Stacy
/ October 3, 2016perhaps flowers are nature’s colorful little gifts to us…we can pick them, showcase them, paint them…use them for inspiration.
really enjoyed your poem.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016I would agree with that wholeheartedly…yes, they are! Thanks so very much, Miss Stacy.
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whimsygizmo
/ October 3, 2016fireflies AND kimono in one haiku? You’ve got me. 🙂
Love this, Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016I know, right…both? 🙂 Thanks so very much, De.
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Mish
/ October 4, 2016Love the ending of “Joy!” as it simply sums up how a sweet, delicate flower can be and should so appreciated. Your haiku appeals to many senses…lovely.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016That’s how I feel about those flowers for sure…they are much appreciated. And thank you for your sweet comment, Mish.
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paulscribbles
/ October 4, 2016Lovely phrasing. Summer kimonos and fireflies. Ahhhh.
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Bodhirose
/ October 6, 2016Oh, thanks very much, Paul. 🙂
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paulscribbles
/ October 6, 2016You’re welcome.
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petrujviljoen
/ October 4, 2016I think there’s a lesson in this: ignore the haiku, no, orchid I mean and there it is!
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016Yes, hang the orchid in a tree and ignore it…mostly that works well. 🙂
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whippetwisdom
/ October 4, 2016A wonderful haibun and haiku about letting go and letting be and all the unexpected gifts in that.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016Everything in its own time, right? Thanks for your visit and comment!
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jellybean disco
/ October 4, 2016I really love the contrast, and connection, between prose and haiku. This is really a very effective form, particularly for those adept at writing haiku (which you most certainly are). The breeze lifting the kimono is a breathtaking image.
I can’t grow (or keep alive) anything at all … well, not plants, anyway. My husband’s great-grandmother gave me a potted orchid, which I of course killed. But she said the trick was to put them underneath a big tree because they “eat” what the tree drops on them. Other than that, she said mostly to just leave them alone.
I don’t think I put mine under the right tree. But it sounds like a good trick.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016Your grandmother is right but it does take the right tree. They like mostly shade. I really appreciate your high praise for my haiku…I do try! 🙂
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lillian
/ October 4, 2016grrrr….internet connection just went down when I hit “Pose comment”….trying again!
I really experience your joy, suddenly seeing these gorgeous blooms! I once had a Christmas cactus — bought in December in bloom — then waited past two more Decembers and nothing and then came a November and riotous color! It became a Thanksgiving cactus — just must have, like a child, got its days and nights mixed up 🙂
And the haiku — I find it more subdued in tone and absolutely beautiful — that kimono in the soft summer breeze…sigh.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016Phooey on bad internet connections! I think there are “Christmas” cactus that bloom around Thanksgiving…yes must have gotten their months mixed up somehow! I’ve had them in the past and love their bright blooms. Thanks for your lovely comments for my haibun, Lillian. I’m supposing you’re home now and done with your travels…you are one busy girl during the summer months. Always appreciate your visits!
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Glenn Buttkus
/ October 4, 2016Orchids do stun us when they bloom, We have an ancient orchid plant in the kitchen window that remains hardy while others beside it wither. It sports a dozen blossoms & they stay for months; mysterious & beautiful
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016There seems to be no reason why some do well and others don’t Some of our blooms hang on for many months too…really amazing. Thanks, Glenn!
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Misky
/ October 4, 2016Well done coaxing that orchid to bloom. I’ve never managed it with ones given to me.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016My daughter and I have many orchids…some die some thrive and do well. It’s a mystery!
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MarinaSofia
/ October 4, 2016So glad this orchid surprised you – I love the image of the kimono for its petals!
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016Me too, Marina…I do love those orchids!
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ October 4, 2016Wonderful images…especially the haiku.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016Thanks, Victoria…I’m glad you liked that haiku.
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ZQ
/ October 4, 2016What a delightful surprise and well said.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016Thanks so much, ZQ.
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Renee Espriu
/ October 4, 2016Every time I have tried orchids they have stopped blooming. But this is Washington. Although I doubt I would have better luck elsewhere. This is absolutely beautiful so you are doing something right. Lovely Haiku.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2016I think Florida has the perfect climate for these tropic loving plants, Renee. You do feel like you’ve really achieved something when they bloom. Thanks for your visit. xo
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Laura Bloomsbury
/ October 5, 2016bursting with extras in your ordinary potterings. Grace defines the purpose of the haiku as “a different step in the narrative through a microburst of detail.” – yours perfectly fits this description
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Bodhirose
/ October 6, 2016They really are extraordinary when they bloom, Laura…and thank you for your high praise for my haiku, it means a lot to me.
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kaykuala (@hankkaykuala)
/ October 5, 2016What a joy of beautiful orchids in violet colors. All the hard work and anxiety finally pay off manifold.
Hank
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Bodhirose
/ October 6, 2016Yes, very joyful, Hank…they are worth the wait that it takes for them to bloom.
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barkhabale
/ October 7, 2016Beautifully written
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Bodhirose
/ October 8, 2016So appreciate your comment, thank you!
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Lorna's Voice
/ October 9, 2016Ah, she was simply waiting for the perfect time to surprise you. ❤
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