The Art of Taking Care of Flowers - Part 3

//The Thorny One//

First step: name it.

The flowers in this plant grow once in a blue moon

But the spikes coming together 

Look no less than a galaxy of stars

This one doesn't grow with daily sips of water

Or the manure you put in the soil

The Prickly Plant grows out of the magic of love

Take a paint brush,

One that you can twirl between your fingers,

Dip it lightly in water

Cleanse the green between the spikes

Whisper happy thoughts 

While you gently rinse it out
Let the sun softly kiss 

Ensure no parasites invade its home

It is a welcoming plant 

But you are the guardian

Final step: admire it.

//Some actual helpful gardening advice with a dash of poetry. For Part One click here. For Part Two click here. //

The Art of Taking Care of Flowers - Part 2

//Potted//

Touch the soft petals
Close your eyes
Feel the energy of the plant

Clean the leaves with a magic potion for shine
( Mix in two parts water with one part milk )
Wipe the stem gently with water
Treat the plant like a child on the brink of growth

Give it a sip of water everyday
Without fail
Turn and mix the soil
Feel the damp cold earth in your palms

Put manure near the roots
( Twice monthly )
Fill the water till the brim on these occasions

Tell the flower how well it is growing,
Better yet, give it a nick name,
Tell it you're proud and you love it,
Tell it your secrets, they're very good listeners.

Sniff the amazing scent
Close your eyes
Realise the life you have grown.

//Some actual helpful gardening advice with a dash of poetry. For Part One click here. For Part Three click here. //

The Art of Taking Care of Flowers - Part 1

//Plucked//

Cut the bottom of the stems
Softly
While breathing in the sweet scent when the knife touches the green

Remove the dried leaves

Pull out the dead petals
While listening to the rustling sound when your touch meets the green

Get the prettiest vase you can find
Fill it halfway with sparkling water
Put the flowers in
Gently
While looking at the beautiful vision when the vase meets the green

Stand in awe of the beauty
Feel the petals between your fingers
Switch the water everyday to preserve the magic
While smiling every time your gaze meets the colour.

//Some actual helpful gardening advice with a dash of poetry. For Part Two click here. For Part Three click here. //

The Art Of Pressing Flowers Between Books

Did you read a book you loved? 

Are you still hungover, intoxicated by the masterpiece of literature that it was?

Are you still under the spell of the words that told you a story unlike any other?

Walk out of your home, close your eyes and recollect everything you loved about the tale. 

Relive the pages that you had felt between your fingers. 

Now look around. 

Do you spot a flower that reminds you of the words that are still fresh in your mind? 

Take the flower in your hands.

Inhale. 

Let your mind entwine it with the story. 

Feel the petals like the pages. 

Let the flower accept the story.

Open the book.

Put the flower in gently.

Does the flower fit in with the story? 

Does it signify everything the book stood for?

Close the book softly and press the edges together. 

Let the story accept the flower. 

That is the art of pressing flowers.