Amorphophallus Titanum

Oh, how I wish I were a rose,

a flower with aroma sweet;

while I offend the human nose,

because I smell like rotting meat!

A flower with aroma sweet

is not the way my story goes;

instead I’m huge with body heat...

oh, how I wish I were a rose.

While I offend the human nose,

as if to make my shame complete,

this lovely rose beside me grows

a flower with aroma sweet.

Because I smell like rotting meat,

my name is Corpse Flower, not rose.

For roses, sweet perfumes excrete,

while I offend the human nose.

(c) 2017 - dustygrein

** Note: This form is called the retourne, and is another French refrain form with a strict pattern and meter. The subject matter is actually one of the more interesting flowers in the world. Native to Sumatra, the Corpse Flower blooms every 7-8 years, and when it does it smells like a dead body, or rotting meat. This attracts the insects it needs to pollinate, and has given it its unique name. :)