Paper Poetry’s October 2025 prompt

Bow to Nostalgia

Pondering the mysteries of wisteria

author’s photo

scented memories
mourning veil of wistful mauve
bow to nostalgia

Greetings to our Paper Poetry friends,

It’s spring in my part of the world — Melbourne, Australia. Ornamental pear blossom drifts through the air and settles like papery snowflakes on the ground. Clumps of vibrant orange-red natal lilies punctuate garden beds and fence lines, while fluff balls of native golden wattle instill happiness and hayfever to those who come near.

For me, it’s the draping bowers and garlands of wisteria that captivate and give cause to pause, ponder and muse.

What is it about wisteria?

Is it the soft tendrils of soothing, mindfulness mauve?

Is it the tangled, twisted woody knots like parched bones of an ancient arthritic that makes it strangely artistic?

Is it the connection to childhood liberally dusted in the sweet confection powder of the past?

I ponder…

…while I ponder the mysteries of wisteria, let’s take a moment to bestow accolades on the poets who joined us for our September prompt: empathy.