My playground was a nearby field – dirt trails, apple orchards, small hills, tall grasses. Caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers and ladybugs were my playmates. I’d catch them, cup them gently between my hands, observe every detail before releasing them. I remember monarchs, the sun catching their wings, landing unpredictably on plumes of blinding yellow goldenrod. I remember warmth of summer on my arms, my fair skin turning blissful brown and counting freckles on my nose. Most of all, I remember the milkweed. I was fascinated with plucking one, peeling open the neon green pod to feel the silk of seeds. Beyond fascination….perhaps an obsession.
I want to plant milkweed and memories into protective soils, bring back the monarchs, save them from their demise. I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace. I want to feed the butterflies and my soul.
Prosery for Sanaa’s prompt at dVerse Poets Pub. Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose up to or exactly 144 words. It must include the given line from a selected poem. Sanaa has chosen the line “I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace” from “What I would like to grow in my Garden” by Katherine Reigel.
Photo taken yesterday on a walk through a local conservation area.
mishunderstood 
Beautifully written Mish. I love your closing line.
Thank you, Dwight. 🙂
I love the sense of preservation of memories you write about… I hope you have such a garden.
Thank you so much, Bjorn. I’m glad that came across. I am hoping to plant some milkweed (if allowed) in my garden. Memories should be carefully planted too.
This is absolutely gorgeous writing here, Mish! Your prose piece tugs on the heart and satisfies the soul, I especially love this part; “Most of all, I remember the milkweed. I was fascinated with plucking one, peeling open the neon green pod to feel the silk of seeds.” Thank you so much for writing to the prompt ❤❤
Thank you.
My pleasure, Sanaa. 🙂
I love the last line here. I think whenever we choose to try to help better any living thing in the world, we are saved in the process.
Thanks, Lisa. I believe this too.
You’re welcome.
I want to plant milkweed and memories into protective soils – what a beautiful line – it pulls the whole thing together, for me. It’s a lovely piece – I can’t believe you gave us so much detail in 144 words – it felt so gentle and unrushed.
Thank you, Sarah. It was a challenge, but I managed to trim to exactly 144. 😀
A beautiful layered description of a past childhood, moments of bliss, very nicely described, full of colours and emotions through the peaceful lines.
Thanks so much, Ain. I appreciate you taking the time to drop in to read.
i hope you get your milkweed and butterflies. i got so much from such a few words
A wonderful comment…thank you!
Delightfully reminiscent of my own enchanted childhood. Masterfully written piece. Cheers!
Thanks so much, Susan. 🙂 I’m glad it resonated.
Wonderful lyrical, descriptive writing. I loved this!
Thank you, Nitin. 🙂
Nice one Mish
Happy you dropped by my blog
Much💛love
Thanks, Gillena.
Those milkweeds are great for attracting the monarchs. For several years I was going to plant some but missed the boat every year. The Monarchs come here but don’t long because we don’t have the correct plants for them. You did good with the memory recall. Isn’t that great, we, us at least, concern ourselves that we will become very forgetful. I enjoyed reading, it reminded me some more of my playing.
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Rich garden imagery, Mish. I love how immersive your prosery feels. The way we can experience it all and then also its absence.
Delightful memories expressed! A lovely read Mish!
This was a lovely read. We had a similar childhood Mish. I too was fascinated by the weeds and insects. There was a climbing weed that had white trumpet flowers and we would pick the flower in its bud form, pinch it at the base and make it fly! Whoever could shoot it the furthest was the winner 🤣
I love prose that takes the reader back to childhood memories … yours is special, Mish.
“Most of all, I remember the milkweed.” Such memories evoked here, Mish! But “I want to feed the butterflies and my soul.” just floored me. I wish that bliss for you.
Beautiful Mish. Sounds like an adventurous childhood. I used to collect caterpillars and watch them turn into butterflies. What a time that was😀.
Pat