1

Orchids
I leave this house
box pieces of the five week life I've gathered.
I'll send them on
to fill spaces in my future life.
One thing is left
a spray of orchid someone gave
from bouquet one who
makes a ritual of flower-giving sent.
The orchids have no fragrance
but purple petals draw you
to look at the purple heart.
I watered them once
when the blossoms were full blown
like polished poems.
I was sure they'd wilt
and I would toss them out with the five week litter.
They were stubborn.
I starved them.
They would not die.
This morning the bud at the stalk's tip unfurled.
I think I'll pluck the full-blown blooms
press them between pages of memory.
Perhaps in their thin dried transparency
I'll discover their peculiar poetry.
Simmonds-McDonald, H. 'Orchids' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark
McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.

Orchids by Hazel Simmons-McDonald

The persona in the poem is preparing to move from a home that she has been
living in for five weeks. After packing all the boxes she notices an orchid that
was given as a gift. The persona remembers how little care was given to the
plan yet now it blooms. The persona thinks about the lessons that can be
drawn from it and preserves the flower.
The lines one who makes a ritual of flower-giving sent. shows that the gift of
the orchid held no particular sentimental value to the persona as the one
giving the gift normally gives flowers as presents.
The flower has no fragrance yet it draws the persona to look closer at its
purple heart. The purple heart is an allusion to the medal awarded to injured
soldiers in the US military, it is also a reference to the purple hear tree which
is one of the strongest lumber. The orchid is defiant and tough in the harsh
environment it lives in. A lesson being taught here is that strength exists in
many things, even those that on the surface do not appear special or
appealing.
The persona waters the orchids once, but the plant is so resilient that it
requires little soil and water to grow. Its blossoms surprise the persona and
the blossoms were full blown like polished poems. This simile shows how
well developed, perfect and appealing the blossoms are. The comparison to
polished poems means that the blossoms are refined and great care was placed
in their creation. Again we learn that something that on the surface may not be
appealing can surprise us with beauty.
The persona things the orchid would die but yet it survives. Instead it grows
This morning the bud at the stalk's tip unfurled. This shows that the plant
refuses to die in spite of the adverse situation and instead grows and matures.
No matter the neglect it endured, the plant not only survives but it grows. The
bud is a symbol of growth and development and mirrors the new step in life
the persona is making by moving to a new place. It is at this time that the
persona preserves the bloom by pressing it in a book to keep the memory and
lessons that could be learn from the orchid. It is ironic that only with the
orchids death that the reader sees value in it and wants to keep it. The poet
uses a metaphor to compare the personas memory to a book in press them
between pages of memory. Just as the orchids blossoms will be preserved in
the book, so will the persons memories of the place she lived and the lessons
learn from the orchid. There are several life lessons from the orchid in this
poem. Firstly, things that may seem to be unpleasant have inside of it the

ability to build strength. The orchid has no fragrance yet it is strong and
survived in an environment not many other plants could. Secondly, adverse
conditions force the best in us. It is in the harsh environment that the orchid
blooms. Thirdly, never give up. The orchid is described as stubborn and
refuses to die. Lastly, only through hard work can we truly grow. After all the
struggle of the orchid it still shoots a tip.
This is a free verse poem and shows that the persona is conflicted and
confused about the orchid. It does not provide a calm mood but instead one
that is uncertain. There is also a change in the tone of the poem. In the
beginning the persona does not care much for the orchid but as the poem
progresses, she pays careful attention to it.

CXC ENGLISH B POEM: "ORCHIDS" [001]

POET: HAZEL SIMMONS-McDONALD (St. Lucian-born)

FACTS:
Orchids are currently believed to be the largest family of flowering plants.
The number of orchid species equals more than twice the number of bird species, and about
four times the number of mammal species. It also encompasses about 611% of all seed plants.
All orchids are perennial (persistent) herbs and lack any permanent woody structure. The
leaves of most orchids are perennial, that is, they live for several years.
The dried seed pods of some species are used as flavouring in baking, for perfume
manufacture and aromatherapy (in traditional medicine).
Orchids are usually cultivated simply for the enjoyment of the flower.
ETYMOLOGY (origin of the word "orchids"):
The name comes from the Greek, literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the root.
The Greek myth of Orchis explains the origin of the plants. Orchis, the son of a nymph (female
demigod) and a satyr (male demigod associated with music and merriment), got drunk at a festival of
Dionysius (Bacchus) in the forest and attempted to rape a priestess of Dionysius. For his insult, he
was torn apart by the Bacchanalians. His father prayed for him to be restored, but the gods instead
changed him into a flower (orchid). Thereby exposing his "testicles" (nakedness and shame) forever.
ANALYSIS OF POEM:
"Orchids"
I leave this house
Box pieces of the five-week life Ive gathered.

This connotes a broken/divided/fragmented/disjointed/separated existence, perhaps a

relationship. The house is symbolic of the personas desire/quest for security, safety and
belonging. The persona (1st person narrator) leaves with his belongings packed away in
boxes (accumulated over a five-week period).
Ill send them on
to fill spaces in my future life.
His possessions are transported elsewhere; continually building upon the personas possible
past failed relationships and shifting lifestyle.
5
One thing is left
a spray of orchids someone gave
from a bouquet one who
makes a ritual of flower-giving sent.

5
A stem of orchids is called a spray but multiple sprays are called a bunch. The persona
received a gift of orchids, taken from a variety of other flowers, perhaps symbolic of the
personas own perennially (continually) shifting existence. He is always moving from one
house/place/location to the next without cessation; always on the move (moving); changing
addresses; not confined to one place/space. Hence, the personas lack of permanence and
stability.
The orchids have no fragrance
10
but purple petals draw you
to look at the purple heart.

Perhaps the orchids have lost their fragranceno longer appealing to the sense of smell but
sight, as the persona is drawn to their regal (magnificent) beautyforced to look within his
own heart/soul/consciousness and make introspection (self-analysis) of his own seemingly
weathered and withered lifestylelacking enrichment and inner beauty. By looking into
the "purple heart" of the orchids as into a mirror (also symbolic of the Purple Heart/Badge of
Military Merit) he is reminded of his need to find inner strength and courage to face his daily
challenges.
I watered them once
when the blossoms were full blown
like polished poems.
I was sure theyd wilt
and I would toss them out with the five-week litter.
The beauty of the orchids can be likened to the beauty of well-written poetry. The persona
anticipates the fading beauty of the orchidstheir message/meaningfulness/valuethe
allegory here may be true of poetry as well, however, they outlived his expectations. Even a
poem lacking in sound or minimal craftsmanship has the potential to develop/blossom into a
work of aesthetic beauty. This is reinforced by the personas use of the simile in lines
13&14: "when the blossoms were full blown/like polished poems".
They were stubborn.
I starved them
They would not die.
The personas failed and perhaps dishonest/distrustful attempt to deny/abandon/disregard
his heartfelt admiration of orchids and their symbolic referent (poetry) is overcome/resisted
by the orchids beauty, resilience and adaptation to social, historical, environmentalgeographical change.

20

This morning the bud at the stalks tip unfurled.

The blossoming bud is symbolic of new life, renewed hope and opportunities. As the orchids
are adaptable to whatever hardships, difficulties, or challenges encountered in their natural
surroundings so too can (must) the persona learn to develop endurance. The orchids
resilience is meant to remind him and us (as readers/critics) thatthe dark night of the souls
despair will eventually give way to the glorious morn of hope, prosperity and libertyin true fashion
to the pastoral elegy "In Memoriam" by 19th century poet Lord Tennyson.
I think Ill pluck the full-blown blooms
press them between pages of memory.
His desire to suppress, conceal and confine his own seemingly nightmarish truth/reality is
perhaps an attempt to prematurely end a potentially fruitful way of lifea new beginning;
fearful of accepting or embracing an uncertain future and living his life to its fullest potential.
By running from his past in order to avoid the present the persona hinders his future
prospects. This shifting lifestyle appears to be the personas perennial (recurring) problem.
Perhaps in their thin dried transparency
As the "pluck/press" orchids die "between pages of memory" at the hands of the persona, so too
does his opportunity to experience a new beginning "die" by his acceptance of the potentially
deadly and decaying influence of personal drawbacks and unresolved emotional hurts.
Ill discover their peculiar poetry.
Long after the poets, like the orchids, have withered and died, their poems attain greater
clarity, purpose and insight into their true form and hidden/concealed beauty, message and
vision. Thus, the orchids (poems) take on a new life/meaning of their own during the
perennial (continual) cycles of life and death. As one generation of orchids die another one
blossoms in its place. Similarly, as one generation of poets die another generation fills the
void and the perennial (immortal poems) live on in the memory of new writers/readers/critics.
By embracing the oxymoronic/paradoxical view that in the presence of death he will discover
the true meaning of life the persona not only appears to be desirous of death but assumes
that death will resolve all of his queries, disappointments and problems; offering him a better,
brighter life/future. The orchids serve as an effective metaphor for poetry and the poetic craft.

POETIC STRUCTURE:
The structure/form of the poem may reflect the frequency with which the persona
changes addresses and the length of time spent in each location, illustrated by the number of
stanzas/verses (10), the number of lines per stanza and the sporadic/uneven length of the

lines. Therefore, two lines in the first and second verses may correspond to two weeks each
spent in two different locations, third stanza (4 weeks), fourth (3 weeks), fifth (5 weeks), sixth
(3 weeks), seventh (1 week), eighth (2 weeks) and the last two stanzas/divisions of the poem
(1 week each). Again, this is visually and structurally symbolic of his somewhat shifting /
nomadic lifestyle. This is a narrative poem, one that tells a story owing to its plot structure.
The poets use of blank verse (lacks rhyming pattern) effectively captures the
personas struggle between hope and despair as he narrates (tells his life-story) with a tone
that similarly and occasionally shifts between feelings of optimism and pessimism, adding to
a mood that varies between contemplative serenity and foreboding uncertainty. Illustrated by
the poet use of emotive language to describe the aesthetically pleasing orchids"purple
petals/blossoms full blown/like polished poems/ This morning the bud unfurled" juxtaposed
against the personas destructive intentions"I watered them once/ I would toss them out/I
starved them/Ill pluck the full-blown blooms/press them". Indicative of the personas seeming lack
of appreciation for the orchids as natural and philosophical emblems of beauty, wisdom and
strength.
SYMBOLISM:
"The orchid is a flower of magnificence that brings a universal message of love, beauty,
wisdom, thoughtfulness, luxury, strength, refinement, and affection"
(http://www.arenaflowers.com/facts/flower).
"This elegant flower should make you feel pampered. Purple is the colour of royalty. Orchids
are generally regarded as symbolic of rare and delicate beauty. Their graceful appearance draws
immediate attention, and their reputation as an exotic and unusual flower evokes a sense of
refinement and innocence" (http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide).
This poem may also serve as a literary allusion to and function as a stem/blossom of The
Orchid House (a novel by Phyllis Shand Allfrey, published in 1953) which tells the story of three white
sisters fleeing from their true colonial reality but having to return to face the truth of their undeniable
love for home. Told through the eyes of their black nurse Lally.
READER RESPONSE:
This is but one descriptive way the reader/critic may view and experience this poem and by
extension, all poetry of this typeas a naturally and pervasively (re)occurring universal motif
of artistic beauty; communicating messages of hope, wisdom, affection, and grace,
especially to a dying global wasteland of despair. The reader must not rely on death (i.e.
embrace hopelessness) to reveal lifes mysteries and lessons when one grows old, weary,
dying or dead. Death is not the way of escape from despair but rather hope in life itself. Like
the orchids, occurring in almost every habitat, the persona (a solitary orchid) is an archetype
(symbol) for humanitys teeming, wandering and restless souls on a futile quest for vain
beauty while ignoring the beautiful purity of Natures craftsmanship, as seen in the orchids.
The universal theme(s) of homelessness; searching for home-land; the quest for selfdiscovery; identity and belonging are all exemplified via this quest.

It is the Constant Image of your Face

It is the constant image of your face
framed in my hands as you knelt before my chair

the grave attention of your eyes

surveying me amid my world of knives
that stays with me, perennially accuses
and convicts me of heart's-treachery:
and neither you nor I can plead excuses
for you, you know, can claim no loyalty my land takes precedence of all my loves.
Yet I beg mitigation, pleading guilty
for you, my dear, accomplice of my heart
made, without words, such blackmail with your beauty
and proffered me such dear protectiveness
that I confess without remorse or shame
my still-fresh treason to my country
and hope that she, my other, dearest love
will pardon freely, not attaching blame
being your mistress (or your match) in tenderness.
Brutus, D. 'It is the Constant Image of your Face' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark
McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.

It is the Constant Image of Your Face by Dennis Brutus

The poem is about a man who is torn between his love and his country. He is going
through a great internal conflict between love and patriotism. He believes that he should
love his country more but still loves the person. Due to this he thinks he has betrayed his
country as it needs him more due to the dangerous time it is in. The persona feels guilty
that he, in his opinion, has not been loyal and devoted enough to his lover and country.
Stanza 1
The persona is constantly remembering his lover and with that remembering the pain
caused by his absence. The eyes of the personas lover are personified as a judge that
casts judgement on him, it shows how he has hurt the person due to the time he has
dedicated to his country. The poem states the grave attention of your eyes surveying me
amid my world of knives that stays with me, perennially accuses and convicts me of
heart's-treachery. The grave attention shows the seriousness he is looked at. The
world of knives refers to the real world that the persona faces, a world of danger. This
is in reference to the poets activism against Apartheid. It shows that he is constantly at
risk. The poet was actually shot by South African police. In the first stanza he apologizes
for loving is country at the expense of his lover.
Stanza 2

10

Another personification is used when the country is described as a person, I confess

without remorse or shame my still-fresh treason to my country and hope that she, my
other, dearest love
will pardon freely. He hopes that his country, which is in great need of him, can forgive
him for loving another. In the second stanza, he believes he has committed treason by
still loving the person instead of his country alone.