Flower Garlands For All

Kicking of the second half of 2020 with hope

Dear reader,

So, what a rollercoaster ride was the first half of 2020. Even though we saw a lot of positive and empathic responses, it also feels it can only get better. That’s why I jumped on an initiative of poet Tapan Avashti. In his India, guests are welcomed with flower garlands. He thinks it is a good idea to welcome the second half of 2020, which we hope will be better than the first, with garlands of flower poetry. For that, poets are kindly invited to share a flower-inspired poem every day for the first seven days of July. In other words: one poem each day from 1 July to 7 July. I loved that idea, so I am in. My first poem is called Dance Filled With Hope.

For you, the readers of this newsletter, I have an extra piece of poetry. If you like it, share it. It’s yours.

This poem was inspired by the daily share of objects from the Ashmolean Museum. A ceramic tile, in what could have been Delft Blue from The Netherlands, with the national floral symbol, the tulip. But it is from Iznik in Turkey, proof of the cultural bonds that connect Europe from the South-East to the North-West. It is bonds like these that we need to cherish.

I hope you enjoy the poetry in here, and also that of other poets. Follow the hashtag #floralweek on your social channels.

Be well, be kind,

Love, Arjan