“When Ivory Kiku Bloom”

On By Mike U.In Poetry

“When Ivory Kiku Bloom”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

it’s my hope in time to come
when ivory kiku bloom
you’ll remember me
as I remember you

those days so long ago
in absence of joy
fraught with fear and agony
you gazed into the abyss

what did you see in the din
and darkness of depression
what peered back at you
shattered your very soul

in this winter tempest
golden suisen
hides its glowing countenance
waiting for the storm to pass

yet its radiance lives on
deep beneath the blowing snow
its beauty obscured
dimmed for but a moment

I saw your light shining
through your blackest night
with the brilliance of the sun
rising moon’s intensity

in your sorrow you were blind
you saw neither light nor love
nor could you believe
your heart was still alive

thus you mourned a life lost
buried your own soul
oblivion’s rueful loam
brings forth its bitter harvest

in my heart there lies a tomb
wreathed in ivory kiku
every day I pause
to offer my respects

every day I mourn for
what could never be
place my heart upon the shroud
of these fading memories

it’s my hope in time to come
when ivory kiku bloom
you’ll have found your peace
for I’ll remember you

39 thoughts on ““When Ivory Kiku Bloom””

  1. Mike, your poetry rends me apart – this is just amazing. I just love how you use the imagery of the blooming flowers to symbolize the passage of time and the persistence of memory. You’ve done it again, my friend ❤

    ~David

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks, David. In Japanese culture, white kiku (chrysanthemums) are often used in funeral services or left on graves as they symbolize death, or in the case of this poem, the death of a relationship. You know me and my penchant for mourning lost love and what could have been. The blooming/recurring ivory kiku certainly represent the passage of time as well, as memories both linger and fade, and the flowers remind us of what once was, and perhaps what might have been.

      I appreciate your inspirational kindness, good sir, and I’m delighted to know you enjoyed this one. The imagery in this poem was so intense in my mind while writing it.  😊

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  4. This piece has such a mournful, sorrowful, heartbreaking pace to it. From the begining to the end, my heart just swooned along, like I was hugging a photo of the deadly departed or a dear John letter from an ex. As always you know how to dip into the depths of a broken heart, and play those discordant notes. Well done Mikey. 💜💜

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    1. Thanks, my brother. Those memories linger, and those white kiku (chrysanthemums) remind us of what we’ve lost. I love Japanese symbolism and have used it in several poems, and the unique meanings of flowers in Japanese culture intrigue me to no end. Death is often symbolized by white kiku, and in this poem, the death of a relationship brought to mind this symbolism. 

      Thanks for your always kind and keen insights, Nigel. Glad to see you stop by to say hello. 😊

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    1. Thanks so much, Peggy. It’s a sad poem, indeed, and the memories linger much like those kiku petals. I appreciate you, my friend, and your wonderful support. Thanks for being here. 😊

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  6. “it’s my hope in time to come
    when ivory kiku bloom
    you’ll remember me
    as I remember you”

    Brilliant and heart touching..

    in your sorrow you were blind
    you saw neither light nor love..

    Excellent poem, Mike.. love it💕

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you very much, dear Saima. I’m glad this poem connected with you. Flowers are so symbolic (and beautiful), and they lend themselves so easily to poetry. Thanks for reading and stopping by to say hi, my friend. I’m grateful for your support and delighted to have you visit. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Kindest thanks, my friend. Happy to know you liked this one. Your presence here is invaluable. I hope spring has finally found your neck o’ the woods (and I hope that robin and that chipmunk have finally become friends!). 😊

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  8. So mournful, Mike. I read your reply to David about the symbolism of the kiku in Japanese culture. The perfect imagery for your loss. This poem, though personal, has a universal sadness to it that feels relatable to all those who have lost someone special. I think about my brother and how the grief changes but never really ends. Beautiful, as always, my friend. ❤

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    1. Thanks so much, Diana. It’s definitely a poem whose meaning appeals universally. The grief we all feel over substantial loss stays around forever. It just seems to shape-shift over time as we acclimate ourselves to its ongoing presence in our lives. I’m so sorry about your brother, my friend, and I know you’ve recently lost your mom, too. My grief for my mom’s loss is still fresh, but it’s in a different form now, one that I’ve become more familiar with since she died nine years ago. My grief for the girl in this poem is different as there was never any closure and I don’t know if she’s okay, so it lingers in a different fashion. I love the symbolism of flowers in Japanese culture, and white kiku have deep meaning in these cases. I think nature is a natural balm for human grief if we can avail ourselves of its soothing gifts.

      I appreciate your kind and thoughtful comments as always, my friend. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. 😊

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      1. The flower symbolism is gorgeous. As is the symbolism of color. They enrich life, I think, and I wish we had more of that kind of depth in the US. I hope that someday you find out what happened to the girl in the poem. It may not be good news, but just knowing is sometimes helpful. Beautiful poetry as always, my friend.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Beautiful, yet so heartbreaking, Mike. I didn’t know about the kiku symbolism, but I agree with Diana that your words and the kiku meaning are relatable to all who have lost a loved one. Such a lovely choice of imagery, and the way you weave your words flows right into the depths of your reader’s emotions. Another masterpiece, dear friend. 💙

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks a bunch, Lauren. Your kind words make my day. It’s certainly a sad poem but this one does have a broad appeal with regards to its meaning. Grief is tough to deal with, and sometimes it sticks around forever, it seems. We have to figure out a way to accept it as part of our lives. Some grief offers a definite inherent closure, while other types have no closure and leave us riddled with memories that should have been laid to rest long ago. I love the Japanese cultural interpretations of flowers, and white kiku (chrysanthemums) portrayed grief so well in this piece.

      Thanks, my friend, for your stalwart support. I appreciate you so much. 😊

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m just a fellow who has a deep and abiding love and respect for Japanese culture, art, poetry, landscapes and people, and would love to explore Japan one day. I sometimes include Japanese imagery in my poetry as a tribute to the culture and the haiku masters of old such as Basho, Issa, Buson and others. I’m deeply honored by your warm comment and I’m so happy to know you enjoyed this poem. Thank you for visiting and commenting. I truly appreciate it. 😊

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      1. OMG! You are so into J culture and traditions.
        You are so amazing!
        You must know J culture much more than ordinary Japanese people! Thanks for promoting the good side of Japan in your blog. 🙏
        I need to learn more 😆

        Liked by 2 people

  14. My dear friend Mike, this poem is stunningly vivid and the use of the flower makes it even more so. Riding a wave when reading your work which sends a memory or two back to me always. I love your writings Mike and this is no different. 

    “thus you mourned a life lost
    buried your own soul
    oblivion’s rueful loam
    brings forth its bitter harvest”

    This line touched my heart so deeply. I thank you for your gorgeous poem and wish for the sunshine to light up your lovely face and for God to bring you love. 

    Sending my hugs and love always Mike. 

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Joni. Your words are always so kind and supportive. This one is sad (as are most of my poems) but I write what I know, and sorrow seems to be something in which I’m well-versed. It’s the lack of closure that makes some kinds of grief so ever-present and disabling. I love the Japanese symbolism of white kiku and it expresses the deep grief and longing I wished to convey. 

      As always, I appreciate you, my friend. Your visits always make my day brighter, and I’m humbled and honored by your praise since you’re such an accomplished poet yourself. Have a wonderful week ahead, my friend. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thanks a bunch, my friend. I really enjoy the Japanese symbolism of flowers, so white kiku (chrysanthemums) really portrayed what I was trying to say in this poem. Thanks for your wonderful support. I appreciate you. 😊

      Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thank you kindly, Cindy. Kiku is the Japanese word for chrysanthemum, and white kiku are often used in funeral services and to decorate graves. In this poem, I applied that symbolism to the death of a relationship. This poem can also represent the death of a loved one as well, and readers can interpret it that way. Thanks for your nice comment, my friend. I’m always glad to see you stop by. 😊

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