photo of jewelweed by Krzysztof ZiarnekA Poem on Jewelweed, by Gigi Ryan The Society August 2, 2024 Beauty, Culture, Poetry 12 Comments . In the Shade There Meekly Grows a Plant urushiol (yoo-roo-shee-awl) is the name of the compound in poison ivy that causes allergic reactions. In the shade there meekly grows a plant With roots that hold on gently to loose soil. In spring it rises up because it can’t Contain its wish to bless. It will recoil At the thought of being in the way And will submit to being pulled for naught. But usually it is left to humbly stay And grow beside the creek. It’s favorite spot Is next to poison ivy. Did you know Jewelweed antidotes urushiol? Simply crush the leaves, let juices flow Upon the poison ivy rash—that’s all. The pompless jewelweed plant just lives to serve Man with kindness he does not deserve. Its leaves without fatigue remain upraised Like hands that praise their Maker patiently. Touch a leaf and you will be amazed How delicate it is. It gracefully Defers to breezes. When the summer comes Each flower with its tiny orange purse Arrives with happiness to sow. Like crumbs Spread silently, each seed will be dispersed So next year there will be a bank of gems. The flowers have a humbleness. They share A beauty that does not impose a scent. They keep themselves bowed down as if in prayer. The jewelweed also goes by “Touch Me Not;” He who named it knew its modest thoughts. . . Gigi Ryan is a wife, mother, grandmother, and home educator. She lives in rural Tennessee. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. CODEC Stories:Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) 12 Responses Roy Eugene Peterson August 2, 2024 Gigi, you opened my eyes to the use of jewelweed which, I often observed in nature, yet never realized its healing properties. You so beautifully describe the humble looking “pompless” nature of the flowers and I love the touching phrase, “bowed down as if in prayer.” This is a precious and informative poem. Reply Gigi Ryan August 3, 2024 Dear Roy, Thank you for your comment. The more I learn about the healing properties of plants, the more I notice their physical attributes, meditate on their character, and even admire them. Perhaps it helps me to see the “soul” of them. Gigi Reply Shamik Banerjee August 3, 2024 This is one of my favourite poems of yours, Gigi. I didn’t know that the Touch-me-Not is also called The Jewelweed. You have chosen a beautiful and simple style of narration as if telling a tale. I would like to believe this is an informative piece. It’s rife with images, but the one where these leaves are described as hands praying to God is outstanding. The turn where you reveal the other name completely amazed me. Thank you so much for this. God bless you! Reply Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Shamik, Thank you for your encouraging comment. Yes, this is at least in part informative. I love to study herbs. As I have learned to identify them, I look forward to watching their stories unfold each year. This is the first poem I have written about a plant (other than trees, which are always inspiring me) but I trust not the last. God bless you, too. Gigi Reply Corey August 3, 2024 Jewelweed proliferates by many roadsides in southern Ontario during the summer months, and your lovely poem reminds me how much I enjoy seeing it in vast abundance on my forest walks. Its peachy orange color is so unique, and a pretty, delicate contrast to the daisies and the milkweed. I stopped trying to cut its blooms to put in water on my table, because it always perished right away. A testament to the jewelweed’s transient, ephemeral beauty! Reply Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Corey, It is good to hear from someone else who appreciates jewelweed’s transient beauty. (I love that expression, thank you.) I too have learned that it does not want to sit in water on my table, so I only bring it home to make a poison ivy tincture or soap. It is as if it is sad to have been removed from its home, it wilts so quickly. However, I believe it is glad to have a usefulness beyond the summer. Gigi Reply Maria August 3, 2024 This is such a beautiful poem that enhances awareness of the beauty around us. There is so much we take for granted! Any poem that leads to a greater appreciation of nature and a more observant attitude is really a triumph in my view. Thank you Gigi. Reply Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Maria, Thank you for your comment. I took nature and beauty for granted so much as a younger person. I am still learning to appreciate it. I have found that it is not too late to see the past with a new appreciation. Gigi Reply Daniel Kemper August 4, 2024 Good observations and a warmly inviting meditation. It made me think of the parable of the wheat and tares. I think of personal relationships, the way people around me are mixed–from an egocentric point of view, the good-for-me mixed with the not-good-for-me. And those good for me are often healers for experiences of those not good for me. Seems a potential symbol for long term relationships too. We all give each other a rash occasionally, but possess within the means to heal the very rash we cause. Very thought provoking poem. Reply Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Daniel, Thank you for taking my thoughts a step further. Your witty observation, “We all give each other a rash occasionally,” is excellent, as is your resolution, “But possess within the means to heal the very rash we cause.” Great application. Gigi Reply Margaret Coats August 6, 2024 I recognize jewelweed (though not by name) from encounters with it in several states. It is a pretty weed, but as you, Gigi, and others note, not worth collecting as a display flower because it immediately droops when removed from where it grows. Still, in addition to the medicinal properties you write of, its flowers and seeds are good to eat. So are the leaves, but I have heard one should not eat much of them because those strong chemical properties can distress sensitive stomachs. Glad to know of your interest in herbs, which certainly make a fine subject for poetry or prose. Reply Gigi Ryan August 7, 2024 Dear Margaret, I was not aware that the seeds and flowers of Jewelweed were edible. I will have to try them! Gigi Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Captcha loading...In order to pass the CAPTCHA please enable JavaScript. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Roy Eugene Peterson August 2, 2024 Gigi, you opened my eyes to the use of jewelweed which, I often observed in nature, yet never realized its healing properties. You so beautifully describe the humble looking “pompless” nature of the flowers and I love the touching phrase, “bowed down as if in prayer.” This is a precious and informative poem. Reply
Gigi Ryan August 3, 2024 Dear Roy, Thank you for your comment. The more I learn about the healing properties of plants, the more I notice their physical attributes, meditate on their character, and even admire them. Perhaps it helps me to see the “soul” of them. Gigi Reply
Shamik Banerjee August 3, 2024 This is one of my favourite poems of yours, Gigi. I didn’t know that the Touch-me-Not is also called The Jewelweed. You have chosen a beautiful and simple style of narration as if telling a tale. I would like to believe this is an informative piece. It’s rife with images, but the one where these leaves are described as hands praying to God is outstanding. The turn where you reveal the other name completely amazed me. Thank you so much for this. God bless you! Reply
Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Shamik, Thank you for your encouraging comment. Yes, this is at least in part informative. I love to study herbs. As I have learned to identify them, I look forward to watching their stories unfold each year. This is the first poem I have written about a plant (other than trees, which are always inspiring me) but I trust not the last. God bless you, too. Gigi Reply
Corey August 3, 2024 Jewelweed proliferates by many roadsides in southern Ontario during the summer months, and your lovely poem reminds me how much I enjoy seeing it in vast abundance on my forest walks. Its peachy orange color is so unique, and a pretty, delicate contrast to the daisies and the milkweed. I stopped trying to cut its blooms to put in water on my table, because it always perished right away. A testament to the jewelweed’s transient, ephemeral beauty! Reply
Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Corey, It is good to hear from someone else who appreciates jewelweed’s transient beauty. (I love that expression, thank you.) I too have learned that it does not want to sit in water on my table, so I only bring it home to make a poison ivy tincture or soap. It is as if it is sad to have been removed from its home, it wilts so quickly. However, I believe it is glad to have a usefulness beyond the summer. Gigi Reply
Maria August 3, 2024 This is such a beautiful poem that enhances awareness of the beauty around us. There is so much we take for granted! Any poem that leads to a greater appreciation of nature and a more observant attitude is really a triumph in my view. Thank you Gigi. Reply
Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Maria, Thank you for your comment. I took nature and beauty for granted so much as a younger person. I am still learning to appreciate it. I have found that it is not too late to see the past with a new appreciation. Gigi Reply
Daniel Kemper August 4, 2024 Good observations and a warmly inviting meditation. It made me think of the parable of the wheat and tares. I think of personal relationships, the way people around me are mixed–from an egocentric point of view, the good-for-me mixed with the not-good-for-me. And those good for me are often healers for experiences of those not good for me. Seems a potential symbol for long term relationships too. We all give each other a rash occasionally, but possess within the means to heal the very rash we cause. Very thought provoking poem. Reply
Gigi Ryan August 4, 2024 Dear Daniel, Thank you for taking my thoughts a step further. Your witty observation, “We all give each other a rash occasionally,” is excellent, as is your resolution, “But possess within the means to heal the very rash we cause.” Great application. Gigi Reply
Margaret Coats August 6, 2024 I recognize jewelweed (though not by name) from encounters with it in several states. It is a pretty weed, but as you, Gigi, and others note, not worth collecting as a display flower because it immediately droops when removed from where it grows. Still, in addition to the medicinal properties you write of, its flowers and seeds are good to eat. So are the leaves, but I have heard one should not eat much of them because those strong chemical properties can distress sensitive stomachs. Glad to know of your interest in herbs, which certainly make a fine subject for poetry or prose. Reply
Gigi Ryan August 7, 2024 Dear Margaret, I was not aware that the seeds and flowers of Jewelweed were edible. I will have to try them! Gigi Reply
