After the first full flush
of the pink cherry’s blush,
April’s shivering, brazen breeze
begins the leisurely striptease,
peeling innocent, frilly petals
from blossom, and blossoms
from branches, until all
that’s left of bashful spring
is the foliage of trees
dappling and quietly greening.
Kim M. Russell, 20th April 2020
My response to dVerse Poets Pub Quadrille: Don’t forget to…
Mish is our host for this Monday’s Quadrille, whose prompt was inspired by the search for toilet paper, an everyday item which is currently being hoarded, treasured and flushed. She says that ‘flush’ is a very versatile word, with a wide range of definitions and parts of speech and that she is in serious need of some ‘flushness’ right now.
So we are writing quadrilles of exactly 44 words, not including the title, and containing the word ‘flush’ or a form of the word.
writing in north norfolk 
This is fantastic, Kim. Especially:
“begins the leisurely striptease,
peeling innocent”
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Thank you, De! 🙂
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I like the description of spring as “bashful”.
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Thanks Frank. And thank you so much for the amazing review on Amazon.
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Let me guess, tart cherries! Smiling at the strip tease, and wow on the blossoming tree!
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Thank you, Lisa! Our cherry has no fruit and has grown far too big. It’s banging on the gutter and the roof!
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You’re very welcome. What it lacks in fruitfulness is its lovely show 🙂
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Oh how pretty…so many lovely word choices and I like the idea of spring stripping down to the green. Also using “green” as a verb!
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Thank you very much, Mish!
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This is a perfect image of the spring… and I for one feel sorry for that green foliage coming after… spring should be much longer.
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Thank you, Bjorn. I agree, spring is far too short compared to the other seasons.
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We have a tulip tree that you have described perfectly. It is busy greening right now, as the pink petals like is quiet piles .
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I’ve never seen a tulip tree, Glenn, only in pictures. I love tulips and trees, so that would be a double bonus!
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One beauty exchanged for another.
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Thank you, Ken.
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Luv that your Spring is “bashful”
Happy Monday
Much💛love
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Thank you, Gillena! Happy Monday to you!
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Our flowering crabapple and pear have undergone striptease and are into serious leafing. Spring is SO welcome this year, even more so, I think. Loved your poem. Sorry about the shingles. May they go quickly!
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Thank you, Bev!
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simply gorgeous! a lovely show for us to sit and cheer –
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Thanks so much, Pat!
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They seem to shed so suddenly. It’s a revelation anew. (K)
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Beauty is short-lived in nature.
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Wow. Your descriptive words were enchanting. Lovely poem.
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Thank you!
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Wow. This poem was enchanting. Lovely.
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Thank you very much!
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Oh this is marvelous! The leisurely striptease, and bashful Spring!
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Thank you so much, Mary!
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A beautiful poem.. Flowering cherries have a beautiful flush of pink like no other.
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Thank you, Dwight!
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Beautiful imagery. And I love how you phrase it – bashful spring. ❤
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Thank you, Maria!
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That first line just made me smile. Love it when they go from nubs to that flushing blush. Aaah! Spring!! Then on to quietly greening.
Love this.
Pat
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Thanks Pat!
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Love the striptease… wish it lasted that much longer!
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Thank you, Dale. Spring is far too short.
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