Flower Kitchens
My mother’s kitchen
had daisy chains of contact paper,
and the walls were the yellow
of dandelions smiling with all their teeth.
I painted my kitchen yellow, too
the color of Van Gogh’s sunflowers,
and siblings, children added to the bouquet—
like the sunshine embedded in Provençal cloth.
Perhaps our flower kitchens
are most like the daffodils in my garden–
happy flowers in many sunny hues,
strewn like laughter
in a meadow of memory.
For Sarah’s prompt of yellow on dVerse
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I love how homey this poem feels! Your mother’s painting reminds me of fireworks. My kitchen is painted yellow, too. I remember when contact paper was all the rage. My mother was a liberal user of it when I was growing up.
Thank you so much, Liz. The flowers do seem to be shooting out!
I love that your kitchen is yellow, too.
I just got it tangled and stuck together when I tried to use contact paper, but my mom was so good at it (and decorating, in general).
You’re welcome, Merril.
Lovely tribute to your mother via her paintings.
My poem for tomorrow’s ekphrastic is similar to this.
Thank you! 💙
Now that it’s today, I’ll have to go see. 🙂
My mistake, it’s the day 14 poem…
Oh, I’ll get to that one, too.
I absolutely love this poem!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Linda! 😊
A gorgeous poem, Merril. I love the joy in this but also its poignancy as it connects kitchens and mothers. Beautiful
Thank you very much, D.! 😊
Beautiful! I love the autumn palette
Thank you! I was thinking spring, though I suppose my mom’s painting is autumnal.
Beautifully reminiscent
Thank you, Derrick.
Your poem makes me want to paint my kitchen 😉 I love your mom’s painting. There’s a strong sense of movement in the flowers.
Thank you, Marie.
The flowers do seem to be moving. I have no idea when she painted this one.
I love those dandelions smiling with all their teeth – such a playful image, riffing on the lion aspect! I had a van Gogh kitchen at one point. We’re more primrosy now…
Thank you so much, Sarah.
I loved the prompt!
An absolute delight, Merril! Each line in living color … alive! Cheers.
What a lovely comment! Thank you, Helen!
I like it… we painted our kitchen yellow too..
Thank you–great minds! 😉
Gorgeous, gorgeous rendering of the prompt, Merril! 😍 I especially admire; “I painted my kitchen yellow, too the color of Van Gogh’s sunflowers, and siblings, children added to the bouquet.” 💖💛💖
Thank you, dear Sanaa! 😊 💙
How wonderful that your mother is always there with you in such a joyful place. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe.
I suppose we tend to remember the good things more. 🙂
What a great way to celebrate Yellow! Love the sunflower with all its teeth~
Thank you very much, Dwight! 🙂
You are welcome.
What a lovely color of that kitchen – yellow like sunflowers and daffodils. Happy flowers in many sunny hues – such a joyful poem.
Thank you so much, Grace!
oh this is so warm and open-hearted! lovely!
Thank you very much! 😊
(I couldn’t access yours from your link in the Linky.)
Beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing your mum’s painting.
Happy you dropped by my blog.
Much💛love
Thank you very much, Gillena! 💙
This art. I love art
Thank you!
Your kitchen sounds happy.
I think even sad memories can bring a mellow happiness, if we let them.
My mother-in-law painted flowers in batiks. Your mother’s painting is bright like my mother-in-law’s tulips.
All this and more brought on by your poem.
Thank you, Resa. I’m pleased my words and my mom’s painting made you stop and reflect.
Yes… me too! Thank you, Merril!
😊
So lovely, Merril! Beautiful painting and lively colours. Love it. ❤️
Thank you very much, Punam! ❤️