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Friday, June 7, 2024

With Love from Alaska

 Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit for Roundup.

I am away from my desk but wanted to pop in with a quick ArtSpeak: FOLK ART poem from Alaska! 

While the forget-me-not is Alaska's state flower, some argue that it should be fireweed. 

Fireweed is quintessential Alaska. It grows everywhere and for the whole summer season (June to September). Turns out it got its name because it's the first thing to pop up after fire...which makes it a resilient and arresting flower...and a SURVIVOR! Of course I wanted to write about it! 

Many thanks to Chelsea Jones for sharing her Alaskan art with the world. And thank YOU for reading!


after long season

of ruin, we are fireweed

rising from ditches


- Irene Latham

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11 comments:

  1. jan godown anninoJune 7, 2024 at 2:04 PM

    Finding beauty in ruin, I like that A LOT, irene. Appreciations for finding Chelsea Jones on your trail & for being Fireweed, in words.

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  2. TraceyKJJune 7, 2024 at 4:30 PM

    Thank you for introducing me to fireweed, Irene. I had to lookup pictures to see more, what beautiful shade of fuchsia. I love how both Chelsea’s painting and your poem capture the beauty and fortitude of this wildflower. : )

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  3. Margaret SimonJune 7, 2024 at 4:48 PM

    I didn't know about fireweed, but I think we saw this flower in Niagara last fall. The painting is beautiful as is your poem.

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  4. RamonaJune 7, 2024 at 7:30 PM

    What a flower! We should take a lesson from fireweed. Love the artwork and the poem!

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  5. mbhmaineJune 8, 2024 at 5:01 AM

    How wonderful to celebrate rising in beauty from the flames of destruction! A perfect poem and photo combo. Enjoy your travels!

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  6. Linda MitchellJune 8, 2024 at 5:07 AM

    'rising' makes the whole poem...the flower rises as fire but stronger and longer lasting. Wonderful imagery!

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  7. Marcie Flinchum AtkinsJune 8, 2024 at 9:53 AM

    Just beautiful! Enjoy your trip and see you soon!

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  8. Rose CappelliJune 8, 2024 at 1:05 PM

    Thanks for introducing me to this flower with your lovely poem. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

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  9. TabathaJune 9, 2024 at 6:30 AM

    It sounded like a useful plant to me, so I looked it up...you can eat the flowers, make fireweed jelly, eat the leaves while they are young, ferment the leaves for tea, use the fluff for padding. Your poem is lovely and, apparently, being as useful as fireweed is aspirational :) xo

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  10. laurasalasJune 9, 2024 at 3:22 PM

    Oh, not only does it grow first after a fire, but this gorgeous painting makes it look like flickering flames. Have a beautiful time in Alaska!

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  11. Karen Edmisten June 11, 2024 at 11:47 AM

    Here's to being and appreciating fireweed. :) Enjoy Alaska! I lived there when I was in elementary school and loved it so much.

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Your thoughts?