Honeysuckle Me

Summary

"Honeysuckle Me" is a free verse poem that personifies the honeysuckle plant as a sensual and enchanting being, juxtaposing its allure with a hint of danger, and is authored by Sherry McGuinn, who is known for her slightly twisted and award-winning writing.

Abstract

The poem "Honeysuckle Me" by Sherry McGuinn is a vivid exploration of the honeysuckle plant's impact on the senses, drawing parallels between its intoxicating scent and the promise of its nectar. The author likens the plant's resilience and wild beauty to human qualities, celebrating its ability to thrive in adversity. Despite the honeysuckle's poisonous seeds, its petals are described as embodying the essence of a life fully lived. The poem delves into the duality of nature, where beauty and danger coexist, and the honeysuckle becomes a metaphor for deep, almost overwhelming, sensual experiences. McGuinn, a seasoned writer with a penchant for the unconventional, uses this piece to showcase her unique voice and perspective on the natural world.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep admiration for the honeysuckle's sensory appeal, considering it more impactful than any human interaction.
The honeysuckle is portrayed as a symbol of wildness and survival, akin to the author's own perceived qualities.
There is a recognition of the honeysuckle's dual nature: its beauty and sustenance are offset by the slight poison in its seeds, reflecting a broader theme of nature's complexity.
The poem suggests an intimate connection between the speaker and the honeysuckle, with the plant's embrace described in terms of sexual awakening and profound sensuality.
McGuinn's work is presented as having a darkly comedic and true-to-life edge, indicative of her style as a writer.
The author invites readers to explore more of her writings, which cover a range of themes from hope to the challenges of writing from the heart.

And I’ll drown in you

Image by Alexander Krivitskiy, Unsplash

Oh, honeysuckle, Lonicera Tatarica, my lush, fecund beauty. You invade my senses like no man ever has.

Your nectar is sweet. Your scent, the very perfume of you, is heady, intoxicating, and filled with promise.

Like me, you’re wild and tough, a scrappy, stubborn survivor who can bloom and thrive in all seasons, if left to roam at will.

Pink, yellow, red, orange, the glory of your flowers beguiles the hummingbirds and butterflies that draw sustenance from you.

Bell-shaped, your blooms are as enticing as the Sirens at sea, but like any enchantress, you have a questionable heart.

Poison, just a little, taints the glistening seeds from which you spring, but your petals taste of sunshine and rain and a life fully lived.

When you cover me, penetrate my most secret recesses, when you wrap yourself around me like a heavenly shroud, I am sex incarnate.

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.

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