Tree Peony, Its Time to Shine

 I have always been stunned by the beauty of this
tree peony's blooms....It is so temporary, I have
never used it as a 'cut' flower.  Last night I
turned a new leaf and now have one in the house,
sharing its space with fern Peonies and jonquils.
It makes me smile!    

Several years back I wrote a poem honoring
peonies.  I would like to share it with you this
morning:

Paeonia Testimonial

Pioneers traveled with plantings.
Along to give lasting connection
Twixt home and distant homestead.

Peonies rooted in new surroundings.
A symbol of home midst struggle
Still there when owners long-gone.

Testimony by worthy competitors
Standing tall against knotted grasses
Pushing forth blooms through the years.

Blossoms, blushing pink, white and Rose,
Against foundations of past lives;
Fragrantly nodding to whispered breezes.

Be it overgrown cemetery or homestead,
These plantings stay to give testimony
Of what was there and will be no more!
                                                    
                                    Molly LeGreve Karjala