Peony

Patrolling the locked down world I feed my sight with flowers I relish gardens Peony lifts her multi faceted face Wet with a spatter of rain A scatter of rubies She is a nest of scent A harbour of fragrance Peony's an Asian beauty Her leaves are deeply lobed Plump, purple ball of flower Plush as a velvet cushion She closes up at night Or under thunder skies She's named from Paeon A student of Asclepius, Greek god of medicine From the aeons back, her root's been coveted The Chinese used her essence for flavouring food. Confucius is said to eat nothing without its sauce. In theTang dynasty, Peonies were cherished, Ruled the imperial gardens. In China, her fallen petals Are a tea-time delicacy. She is added to salads and punch A traditional flower 牡丹 (mǔdān) , A flower of riches and honour. Her seeds hold the gifts of healing Bit if you pick her fruit, you must Hide from the woodpecker Or the bird will peck out your eyes As a punishment Nymphs hide in her depths, Some, call her Shame or Bashfulness In the Language of Flowers. You will see her incised on skin Useed in tattoos, alongside koi-fish, lions Tigers and lucky dragons This lady treats stomach pains and nightmares Bladder issues, jaundice, muscle spasms She sooths arthritis, fever, dysmenorrhea I applaud the bravery of ephemera The Peony's moment of glory, Till she droops her luscious, heavy head Dead in a blink, her scent still hangs in the air