Thalictrum and Cimicifuga, Jonathan Galassi
Thalictrum and Cimicifuga,
married for life:
“I love your filigreed purply curls.”
“I love your pompous white spikes.”
Look at them swaying there out in the wind,
bowed by the nastiest weather:
always reverting to genus
and always together.
This poem references two plant genera: Thalictrum and Cimicifuga, both from the family Ranunculaceae. Each genus has numerous different species, literally hundreds.
My interpretation: Thalictrum and Cimicifuga enjoy a lasting love because they appreciate the differences between them. Despite the pressures and challenges they face, when stressed so that their dissimilarities become wide or difficult they step up the ladder from their widest differences (species) and focus on their smallest differences, just below their common denominator/point of similarity/connection (genus).
I would love to hear your interpretation of this poem!.
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lifeisjustagarden 