The purple Irises glistened br in the morning stillness br with three tongues that lick br as if to catch a dew drop br upon each tip br Golden bearded and strong br these living gems br calling for those lucky enough br to scent and see them. br Rhizomes barely catch the earth, br with roots that serve as a place of rebirth br Dividing as they go br year after year, they double in show br br Oh, this beauty with for my eyes to see br I cannot keep them for only me br with friends true I shall share. br and next year bring to them br this joy I find in br a purple world with hues of gold and fragile love. br br *Thanks to Mary for her input on writing this poem.