Eyes squinted against the morning sun, I totter into the kitchen and collapse at the table. Tea! My kingdom for my tea! A moment later, my brow wrinkles… there’s a smell I’m smelling, a prelude to a headache brewing. It’s green, peppery, fresh, a bit sweet. It’s forty stems crammed into a jam jar…
Who knew!? Daffodils
Not unscented as I’d thought.
*sinus tingling sneeze*
Fuzzy arms lifted
Life breathed in saffron-lined throat —
My lovely violet(This one only scans if you’re from the West Coast of the US – to me, violet is two syllables, and not three. I always smile when I hear people pronounce the ‘o’ as they do here in Britain. Vi-o-let vs. Vi-let. Hm. Now I’m beginning to think pronouncing the ‘o’ is technically correct. [It is way too early for this.])
So, the whole thing, amended:
Fuzzy arms lifting
Inhale through saffron-lined throat
Sing, Saintpaulia.
A swirl of crème fraiche
Studded with tangy, sweet blue —
Break your fast with pie.
I like your original best, Tanita–
Screw the syllable count. (PlusI’m from Florida, and violet is two syllables to me, too.) Give me that saffron-lined throat.
And maybe some of that pie, too. Yum!
It’s one of those words where the longer you say it, the weirder it sounds.
These haiku are supposed to be embodying the spirit of dashing off something to elevate my spirit, so I know when I start fussing about scanning that I’m overthinking it! ☺
OMG. Gimme some of that pie!
The “perfumed” scent of daffodils also surprises me every time. So pretty, so cheerful, and then — what a smell. Headache, yes.
I’ve always pronounced it “vi-o-let” — three syllables. This is probably because deep down, I’m British. 🙂 Cheerio!