Blueflags Poem by William Carlos Williams

Blueflags

Rating: 2.8


I stopped the car
to let the children down
where the streets end
in the sun
at the marsh edge
and the reeds begin
and there are small houses
facing the reeds
and the blue mist in the distance
with grapevine trellises
with grape clusters
small as strawberries
on the vines
and ditches
running springwater
that continue the gutters
with willows over them.
The reeds begin
like water at a shore
their pointed petals waving
dark green and light.
But blueflags are blossoming
in the reeds
which the children pluck
chattering in the reeds
high over their heads
which they part
with bare arms to appear
with fists of flowers
till in the air
there comes the smell
of calmus
from wet, gummy stalks.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ratnakar Mandlik 29 July 2019

" But blue flags are blossoming in the reeds" A beautiful melody and a children's song. Enjoyed reading.

1 0 Reply
Susan Williams 27 March 2016

Dawn dearest, he can't keep it up- -he died in the 1960's. If he does keep it up, I believe I will flee screaming into the hills for Darryl or Rick or Mschonne! ! ! [Walking Dead cast] I am so accustomed to his poetry taking a bitter or unpleasant turn that I kept looking for the children to sink in a bog whilst fetching lovely flowers while daddy dearest watched from the car....

14 1 Reply
Veronica S 21 December 2019

You must be confusing Williams with another poet. His poetry is not particularly bitter.

0 0
Veronica S 21 December 2019

You must be confusing Williams with another poet. His work is not on the whole bitter or unpleasant.

0 0
Dawn Fuzan 13 May 2014

Will This is a good poem, keep it up

2 0 Reply
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