The chandelier of the garden

is the magnolia. Bare elegant

arms stretch to hold the lights.

Finial not above like a waiting

weapon but rooted in earth.

Each cupped hand holds a pale

green bobeche with a bulb

not yet open.  Purple outer

sepals protect the luminous

petals within. The magnolia

chandelier could be hung

in the ceiling of a pre-dawn

spring night. Once bloomed

the petals will drop leaving

the stamen, an exposed

filament, orange with pollen.


Notes:

In response to The Door is Open by Nicholas Folland, 2006,

Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.