“Sommbollll”, he purrs
as he rolls the taste
of the word
around his foreign gums --
savoring the victory
as blanched memories
bloom against the spicy
nectars of his almond youth.
“Ssssombol”, he whispers
across the faded table
of his wishful abundance --
Spring's wrinkled hopes
mirrored in the dusty dances
of candlelight and words.
Silent bells,
proclaim the natural wonder
in clean, clear innocence,
he knew once --
and now again.
Sombol.
Author notes
I can't savor the smell of hyacinth without seeing the image of an aging Persian celebrating Norouz ("new day" or New Year) on the day of spring equinox, his table set with the traditional Seven symbols of the seven creations (all beginning with the sound of s). There also sits a single candle burning next to the mirrored portrait of the poet who gave them their language. Finally, among these symbolic wishes blooms sombol - the hyacinth.
For me, the hyacinth always carries the scents of wishes reborn. Nature at its most powerful best.
Okay, so I'm a clumsy romantic but I'll bet he'll haunt you too when next you bring this flower to your lips.
-------------------------
Honorable Mention in Popeye's First Flower of Spring Contest
allpoetry.com/Contest/995557
"Now this folks is the way free verse should be written! It has that sense of poetry and does not at all read like prose chopped up. There is a spiciness to this poem that made me go back to it several times."
Written January 19th, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- First Flower of Spring by SusanL.
400 points, ended January 20, 2005, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Ah! M o m D!
~~~
What honour that my comment, penned in Jan
last year, has now survived the span
of months that intervened and now should cause
thee to award, belated now, applause!
Fear not that when I comment on thy verse
it makes thy writing seem one whit the worse.
In fact, the rhyming comment that I made
was meant to be my highest accolade.
For, verily, this poem, was of thy best
with images which strike the heart and chest
like rays of hyacinth dawn, while ageing sage
gazes in awe and wonder on thy page.
~~~
Applause, love and hugs, namaste! XXX Hugh (Omar.)
Edited on Feb 10, 8:00 p.m. because ''. -
very interesting, the authors note was very helpful, because i was trying to figure out what sombol was, this was really cool, you have such a way with words, very unique way to make this poem about a flower as the contest requested, write on...
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Has a very laid back feel to it when I read it. Just kind of meanders down the page. So nice when a write can do that. well done.
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Outstanding!!!! What an image that was. I gotta read it again...
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Thank you for the kindness of your stumble, Tudor Rose. (again bringing me luck). I had watched your publishing contest with interest as I thought it was quite a unique contest and commend you on the follow through. Well thought out as well as creative.
Jane -
very well written, I stumbled across your page cos I saw your name stand out, Im glad I did, your very gifted and because of this you certainly are one lucky girl
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excellent, vivid, creative, colourfus
a masterpiece indeed! i was living in afghanistan for 1 year and learned a little farsi over there. i would like to visit iran sometime. love, amberline -
Excellent~
You have enlightened me on this cold dark gray Ky afternoon
Now I have learned something new
I saw where you got honorable mention and I can see why This is excellent sweetie
Hope all is well with you and I just posted a new one 2 days ago
Hugs n love
Susan~~~
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Wonderful!
Ooh, what a literary and educational delight! Lovely sensory imagery, beautifully done indeed!
~G
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vvveerry interesting. love the education in the author's note adds a great deal to the piece .. which has some just gorgeous moments in it without the author's note .. nectar of almond youth, springs wrinkled hopes .. and on and on. i smell it by reading it .. always force a few come february .. 
good luck in the contest dear jane.
<---- pretend. sniiiiiif.
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We were there for diplomatic service, so the view was from Farmanieh and Velenjak, rather rarified. I did my own marketing, and learned all the veggies in Farsi, even reyhan, which the greengrocer called reyhoon.
I love Ghormeh sabsi, but have had little success in my own kitchen. I developed a taste for rice with yoghurt, which is simple enough.
I came across a lovely recipe for sangak, and the lady writing it said, one cannot reproduce Persia, and any attempt will be disappointing. She was right.
-
Dear Jane,
Confhughcius say: "Worthy poem always deserve cogitoration." (translated from the original).
Edited on Jan 20, 5:07 p.m. because ''. -
TONGUE IN CHEEK - HUMOR - TEASING - NOT SERIOUS
Now, Hugh ... I am just going to be forced to ask you to STOP posting poems in your comments that are better than mine. Your royal tongue has the quality of the ancient airs I wish I had the patience for. Instead, I must be content with working with the symbolic use of the seven s sounds and the structured weight of ideas.
But what a sad tale you tell - he's fried to a crisp and she gets cut off at the knees. Not exactly the light rebirth of spring, is it? lol
But you know how I thank you for cogitating so on the inner workings of my work. Few would honor it so.
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Hip Hip, Hurrayyyy! I was hoping someone would know Haft Sin and appreciate the symbolism of it. Thank you, my dear. Indeed, I did have the sense of the old man straining to remember from afar. I could have gone on forever babbling about the richness of the tradition - but alas, I feel I have exceeded the patience of most readers with the comments I've already added. (and now I am so curious - how you came to be in Tehran). And can you cook their foods? I miss them so. Sabsi - yummmmmmmmmmmmmm.
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You remind me of Noruz in Tehran, the best time of year because the traffic is still and the air is clear, but woe betide the improvident housewife! My family lived there 2000-2002. I didn't make my own Haft Sin, but I know what you are talking about, the celebration of new life with the new year.
The poem itself is lively and I enjoyed it. I got a clear image of this wonderful old man, transplanted perhaps and cherishing his heritage. Well done!
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I know so little of middle eastern culture. Thanks for educating me on the nature of this flower. This symbol of renewed youth.
Sincerely,
Leo Long -
Now this is different. I was sondering where this was going, and not being wise to eastern ways I was not familiar with the tradition behind this bloom.
Thank you for this glimps into another culture. It seems various flowers hold different, even sacred meanings to different people.
Thank you for entering and educating!
Pops -
"Norouz! Awake!" Mahmud the Great hath said
"and rouse Thyself, from off Thy petalled bed.
"The winter garment of repentance fling
and seven symbols of creation bring."
"Fetch me the bosom'd maid with lustrous eyes
whose hyacinth lips make reborn wishes rise!
"Light there the candle, let it by Khayyam
illumine Moon of my Delight who know'st me as I am."
Thus saying, Mahmud (May Allah rest his soul)
fell in grief's furnace and was burnt as coal
and, 'ere the hyacinth Dawn might first light bring,
the shears of Fate had sever'd Rites of Spring.
Dear Jane,
Because your poem makes more sense and the words are better
sombolized in a far from clumsy manner, I am bookmarking AND applauding your verses which evoke the flowers and myths of Persia in a truly hyacinth manner.
Well done! Good luck in the contest.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh (Omar).
"
Edited on Jan 19, 10:46 p.m. because ''.
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