I am but a lily...
Picture is by judy stalus
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am but a lily
of the valley I am
I am gentle wise
delicate I am
You see but a
mirage you see
You see me nod
ephemeral you see
My strength they miss
know not my strength
My strength is hidden
precious is my strength
I am but a lily
a flower I am
I am but a scent
enigma I am
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robyn Selters 2011
All Rights Reserved
Sylvia Frances Chan
Correction: the most beautiful lineS ARE the last two sentences, sorry...
Correction: the most beautiful lineS ARE the last two sentences, sorry...
Yacov Mitchenko
Just thought I'd revisit this poem. It has lost none of its loveliness and freshness. I think it's an enduring work of art.
Just thought I'd revisit this poem. It has lost none of its loveliness and freshness. I think it's an enduring work of art.
sensebreeze
Wow, love the delicate melody, can inhale the fragrance right now. You've done justice to a Lily's beauty and power over a humans senses.
Wow, love the delicate melody, can inhale the fragrance right now. You've done justice to a Lily's beauty and power over a humans senses.
aryaindia
I like the repetition of the first two words in the next two lines. A special way of writing so special. Thanks. Yacov's thoughts are so beautiful too.!
I like the repetition of the first two words in the next two lines. A special way of writing so special. Thanks. Yacov's thoughts are so beautiful too.!
Yacov Mitchenko
Oh, this is lovely. It's, in my view, the best poem of yours I've read so far. What I first found intriguing about it is "My strength is hidden/Precious is my strength". On reflection, I think it makes sense because the lily fully accepts itself, its frailty and delicate beauty, both. Its acceptance and embrace of being constitute strength. We humans rarely, if ever, possess these qualities: We worry, we strive and toil. Your sentiment in a way recalls the Bible's saying that flowers do not toil or spin, that even Solomon's wisdom falls short of them. (Do you remember the exact saying?)
Oh, this is lovely. It's, in my view, the best poem of yours I've read so far. What I first found intriguing about it is "My strength is hidden/Precious is my strength". On reflection, I think it makes sense because the lily fully accepts itself, its frailty and delicate beauty, both. Its acceptance and embrace of being constitute strength. We humans rarely, if ever, possess these qualities: We worry, we strive and toil. Your sentiment in a way recalls the Bible's saying that flowers do not toil or spin, that even Solomon's wisdom falls short of them. (Do you remember the exact saying?)
Amy Cavanaugh
This seems like a nice way to describe a lily's view...and to fill my senses :)
This seems like a nice way to describe a lily's view...and to fill my senses :)
Meggie Gultiano
this is beautiful!!
this is beautiful!!
Gerard Lebel
All around enchanting piece. Simple and alluring. Well penned!
All around enchanting piece. Simple and alluring. Well penned!
Susan Jarvis
The potency of subtle beauty captured magnificently in this lovely poem. The rhythm and layout is imaginative and engaging. Wonderful!
The potency of subtle beauty captured magnificently in this lovely poem. The rhythm and layout is imaginative and engaging. Wonderful!
MoonLi
Yes, enigmatic you are.. :-) Awesome words... Simple so beautiful !
Yes, enigmatic you are.. :-) Awesome words... Simple so beautiful !
narain, jay p.
Very nice.
Very nice.
Irwin (aka David Irwin Phillips)
Wonderful play on words Robyn, really enjoyed the simplicity of it and I love lilies.
Wonderful play on words Robyn, really enjoyed the simplicity of it and I love lilies.
Sana Rose
Oh wow... Robyn, this is so beautiful... gentle, subtle and so lovely.. and the format is so firm and gentle at the same time. Sorry I am late, but I haven't been reading much lately, or none at all. But I am glad, I now did. :)
Oh wow... Robyn, this is so beautiful... gentle, subtle and so lovely.. and the format is so firm and gentle at the same time. Sorry I am late, but I haven't been reading much lately, or none at all. But I am glad, I now did. :)
Simply Bono Razek
beautiful write- Robyn
beautiful write- Robyn
Sylvia Frances Chan
A nice treat to read this, I enjoyed every line, very tender write, beautiful. Robyn! The most beautiful line is the last two sentences!
A nice treat to read this, I enjoyed every line, very tender write, beautiful. Robyn! The most beautiful line is the last two sentences!
Al Thomas
Beautifully expressed Robyn, the way God made you to be. If all men could see this reality, a better world this would be.
Beautifully expressed Robyn, the way God made you to be. If all men could see this reality, a better world this would be.
nimal dunuhinga
I sniff the fragrance and thank you so much!
I sniff the fragrance and thank you so much!
Jenny Gordon
Ah, lily of the valley! What a delightful reminder! I love their sturdy, waxy, ruffled bells and wonderfully rich fragrance. Beautiful tribute. They've another name, but I am forgetting. Lovely tribute.
Ah, lily of the valley! What a delightful reminder! I love their sturdy, waxy, ruffled bells and wonderfully rich fragrance. Beautiful tribute. They've another name, but I am forgetting. Lovely tribute.
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
Simply beautiful! A pleasure to read. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Simply beautiful! A pleasure to read. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Kamala
Every stanza a beautiful ring formation. The soul and thought a little flower is expressed in such beauty.
Every stanza a beautiful ring formation. The soul and thought a little flower is expressed in such beauty.
Ron Peat
I have visited this lovely poem again and I have found the grace that awakens my inner being. We struggle to be who we are yet we toil not for we are who we are. This is such a lovely poem. I bookmarked it. A poet friend..RH Peat
I have visited this lovely poem again and I have found the grace that awakens my inner being. We struggle to be who we are yet we toil not for we are who we are. This is such a lovely poem. I bookmarked it. A poet friend..RH Peat
Munia Khan
And I find resemblance betwixt lily and you Robyn! A fantastic work that arouses every senses of the readers.
And I find resemblance betwixt lily and you Robyn! A fantastic work that arouses every senses of the readers.
narain, jay p.
Excellent description of a beautiful flower.
Excellent description of a beautiful flower.
Bob Blackwell
Lovely lines to describe a lovely flower
Lovely lines to describe a lovely flower
Meggie Gultiano
very beautiful lines.I just love the repetition of some of your lines here
very beautiful lines.I just love the repetition of some of your lines here
Leonard Dabydeen
Fantastic write, robyn. A sensuos flow in the poem to its enigmatic end.
Fantastic write, robyn. A sensuos flow in the poem to its enigmatic end.
Raj Arumugam
simple and yet powerful - just like the nature of the lily, Robyn
simple and yet powerful - just like the nature of the lily, Robyn
Rahul Aithal
simple. Beautiful.
simple. Beautiful.
seema chowdhury
Beautiful and lovely.
Beautiful and lovely.
Ben Gieske
A novel and imaginative presentation and poetic form. Your repetition and simplicity is very effective. I was reading about contemporary poetry and it would say that you have embraced the best characteristic of the new school.
A novel and imaginative presentation and poetic form. Your repetition and simplicity is very effective. I was reading about contemporary poetry and it would say that you have embraced the best characteristic of the new school.
Karin Anderson
A special and profound poem Robyn. I have a poem on about Lily of the Valley and it is about Virgin Mary and your beautiful write recalled the meaning I used, but am not sure if it applies to just Lily. I love "my strength is hidden, precious is my strength".
A special and profound poem Robyn. I have a poem on about Lily of the Valley and it is about Virgin Mary and your beautiful write recalled the meaning I used, but am not sure if it applies to just Lily. I love "my strength is hidden, precious is my strength".
Frank James Ryan Jr./FjR
You display in vividity the senses of Sight & Scent with extraordinary command....Sometimes silence and as well as the luxury of Mind's Eye superseding the Doubting Thomas-Touch is all we need to ensconce in so much that Life makes beautiful for our taking....Excellent Work, Robyn...Oh yeah! ~FjR~
You display in vividity the senses of Sight & Scent with extraordinary command....Sometimes silence and as well as the luxury of Mind's Eye superseding the Doubting Thomas-Touch is all we need to ensconce in so much that Life makes beautiful for our taking....Excellent Work, Robyn...Oh yeah! ~FjR~
robyn selters
Thanks, Ron.... I had re-read it this morning and thought exactly the same thing. I will change it from 'not know my strength' to 'know not'... Appreciated :)
Thanks, Ron.... I had re-read it this morning and thought exactly the same thing. I will change it from 'not know my strength' to 'know not'... Appreciated :)
Ron Peat
Stanza 5 reads a bit rough. Try (know not) I love this poem; it has a beauty that is all its own. The repetitions are just superb. The spirit is indomitable and unseen. This is a poem with true grace. A poet friend..RH Peat
Stanza 5 reads a bit rough. Try (know not) I love this poem; it has a beauty that is all its own. The repetitions are just superb. The spirit is indomitable and unseen. This is a poem with true grace. A poet friend..RH Peat
Elena S
Beautiful poem of one most gentle flower! In my native tongue is called "lacrima" it means.. a tear drop. I love your poem, thank you!
Beautiful poem of one most gentle flower! In my native tongue is called "lacrima" it means.. a tear drop. I love your poem, thank you!
Gita Ashok
This is such a simple yet profound and beautiful verse, Robyn.
This is such a simple yet profound and beautiful verse, Robyn.
La Finita
Tender and superb. You really shine here, Robyn. Bookmarked (or "recommended"? now)
Tender and superb. You really shine here, Robyn. Bookmarked (or "recommended"? now)
RAJ NANDY
What greater praise for this poem can I sing , - than the one in the Bible -Luke 12:27 ? ! "Cosider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you , not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these " ! Thanks , -Raj
What greater praise for this poem can I sing , - than the one in the Bible -Luke 12:27 ? ! "Cosider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you , not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these " ! Thanks , -Raj
Kesav V Easwaran
Nice write Robyn, much eigmatic though!
Nice write Robyn, much eigmatic though!
Ravi Sathasivam
Excellent write. tfs
Excellent write. tfs
dennis go
This is brilliant.
This is brilliant.
James T. Adair
Women are like flowers.... Just last nightI was thinking of a white chrysanthemum
Women are like flowers.... Just last nightI was thinking of a white chrysanthemum
patspoems
Beautiful Robyn and was the picture that accompanied your lovely poem.... Pat
Beautiful Robyn and was the picture that accompanied your lovely poem.... Pat
Sandra Martyres
A lovely write on the lily Robyn
A lovely write on the lily Robyn
I try to make it a personal rule (even with my own work)...not to return to the same work ,once I have been thoroughly satisfied with it/by it..., albeit , I admit to being an obsessive editor and revisor" of my own work, yet only until I am satisfied with the finished product...then I don't look back again.....However, like everything else in this world...there are exceptions to the rule...And this poem of yours which bleeds thick gold ink...is indeed one of those exceptions. So here I am once again, captured by your lily and the spectrum of pictorial depiction that wraps quite eloquently around it. Outstanding workmanship, Robyn! ~FjR~