National Poetry Month: Day #13

Today’s prompt was to write a poem that contains at least one kenning. Kennings are metaphorical phrases developed in Nordic sagas. They generally consist of two nouns joined together which imaginatively describe or name a third thing.

This poem is dedicated to my friend, Amy–a great lover of those sweet purple faerie blossoms of spring who rise from the frozen ground year after year. (The photos are also hers.)

croci

purple heads
lifting up
pursed lips
to blow
a kiss
toward heaven
winter’s pearls
melted now
giving way
finally, finally

petal-opener
arrived late
wound tightly
after large
gusty breaths
worked hard
keeping cool
and dormant
fertile soil
until, until

spring buckets
poured out
wet blessings
upon greedy
parched dirt
ancient fireball
coaxed gently
purple heads
to rise
again, again.