Rose Pogonia, Laudholm Farms, Wells Maine

I mentioned that I went looking for our local bog orchids the other day at the little remnant bog at Laudholm Farms (Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve). We have two: Grass Pink Orchid and Rose Pogonia. A botanist said that Rose Pogonia is the most perfect pink in nature…and he might well be right. The flower has inspired a Robert Frost poem (https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/rose-pogonias/), and it certainly inspires me every late June and early July. It has other common names: Snake’s Mouth Orchid, and Adder’s Tongue, but I prefer Rose Pogonia…as more fitting with the delicate beauty of the flower. There are maybe 30 or 35 plants along the 50 yards of boardwalk through the tiny bog…I think a few more this year than last, so maybe the flower is spreading. That would be a good thing as far as I am concered. 

I have my own Rose Pogonia poem from a few years ago,  before I discovered them growing reliably in the Laudholm Farm Bog, revised for today’s Day Poem.

I have never seen
the Rose Pogonia grow
in any place a man
would want to mow.

Mossy bog or fen,
where both worship
and photography
are wet business
about the knees and feet
as you bow

to breath and frame,
to fill your SD card
(and your spirit)
with the essence of what is still wild,
of no use, and of such great value
the stars would weep
if you picked one.

Therefore the picture,
and this poem,
that your spirit might also know
that still, the Rose Pogonias grow
in a forgotten corner of a little bog
just down the road from home.

Sony Rx10iii in Program mode. -.7 EV. Processed in Polarr and assembled in FrameMagic.