Simple Gentility

To discerning hearts,
meek field strewn peasants ascend
to tea house nobles.

 My flower arrangement for tea ceremony. 

Process note: The art of arranging flowers for tea is called chabana, and it is customary to use simple seasonal flowers, even weeds and grass so long as they aren't fragrant, in the arrangement. 

Song Choice: Simple Gifts by Yo Yo Ma and Alison Krauss

This poem is in response to the prompt given at Imaginary Gardens for Real Toads: Weeds in the Garden.


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32 comments:

  1. Kerry O'ConnorJune 30, 2016 at 6:44 AM

    Beauty in simplicity!

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  2. Sharon RawsonJune 30, 2016 at 8:31 AM

    Simply beautiful!

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  3. hedgewitchJune 30, 2016 at 8:42 AM

    So eloquent in its brevity, Rommy. Beauty truly is most effective to our minds and sense when it is not over-embellished, when it is pure and simple, as here.

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    1. RommyJuly 1, 2016 at 9:27 AM

      I felt this really needed to be brief to fully convey the point of the poem, which is the heart of chabana.

      Delete
  4. HelenJune 30, 2016 at 11:45 AM

    ~~ lovely haiku

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  5. Magaly GuerreroJune 30, 2016 at 1:06 PM

    This is delicious, Rommy. The haiku, the arrangement, the note... It's perfect in simplicity and beauty. And the thought the entire poem shares is one I can certainly stand behind, too. ♥

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    1. RommyJuly 1, 2016 at 9:29 AM

      I am very proud of the arrangement. My teacher came by and gave a quick nod of approval before going on. That's actually a huge compliment, because typically when she comes around she only offers corrections. :D

      Delete
  6. Buddah MoskowitzJune 30, 2016 at 1:31 PM

    Lovely - I esp loved the different strata here: field, peasants, noble. Great poem.

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    1. RommyJuly 1, 2016 at 9:30 AM

      It's hard to get all the notes you want to get in with a haiku, but when it was finished I was proud of the little details like that, which worked out well.

      Delete
  7. brudbergJune 30, 2016 at 2:14 PM

    I think the simplicity sometimes is the best, though I love the fragrant part (but I guess one should not quench the tea)

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    1. RommyJuly 1, 2016 at 9:31 AM

      Yep, that's part of the point, not to have the different elements of the teahouse compete.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousJune 30, 2016 at 5:41 PM

    Dream on

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  9. JimJuly 1, 2016 at 1:06 AM

    That's the way I feel about those pretty plants.
    I learned a new word but I might forget it soon, "chabana". Mrs. Jim does that, even at times rustling a flower from a neighbor for the table.
    ..

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    1. RommyJuly 1, 2016 at 9:31 AM

      I love a kitchen table with wildflowers as the centerpiece.

      Delete
  10. FireblossomJuly 1, 2016 at 8:41 AM

    *looks on in fear* This looks like a...hayyy..a high....um, one of those short thingies I avoid. A hak...hik...aw I can't say it!

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    1. RommyJuly 1, 2016 at 9:33 AM

      LOL, the Yo Yo Ma/ Allison Krauss song was a spoonful for sugar to help the haiku go down just for you. (I do love her voice)

      Delete
  11. HannahJuly 1, 2016 at 12:39 PM

    Oh yes, I love how you give the contrasting discernment here and your process notes are interesting. Thank you, for the challenge, Rommy! :)

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  12. Susie ClevengerJuly 1, 2016 at 3:57 PM

    Beautiful...I like the beauty of a weed. It is a pain in the garden, but it is a picture of surviving.

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2016 at 6:43 AM

      I love the roadsides here in the semi-rural parts of my county because you can see some really gorgeous varieties of them.

      Delete
  13. Audrey Howitt aka DivaloungerJuly 1, 2016 at 9:17 PM

    Beautiful--I love the simplicity of the shorter forms--

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2016 at 6:43 AM

      Thanks! I felt the simplified format helped strengthen my theme.

      Delete
  14. kaykualaJuly 2, 2016 at 1:50 AM

    Simplicity of short takes require more thinking. Good one Rommy!

    Hank

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2016 at 6:44 AM

      Oh yes! LOL, with both haiku and chabana, it takes some time to figure out just the right trick to keeping things simple.

      Delete
  15. Magic Love CrowJuly 2, 2016 at 11:08 AM

    So beautiful!!!! Gorgeous picture!

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    1. RommyJuly 3, 2016 at 10:36 AM

      Thanks! I'm pretty proud of the arrangement

      Delete
  16. Laura MorriganJuly 4, 2016 at 12:16 AM

    Your chabana skills are great!

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