StylusLit

March 2026

Back to Issue 19

Titan arum

By Megan Cartwright

 

Corpse flower, 

dormant for seven years.

Until the itch; 

latent urge that begs you, 

scratch

Pleads you reveal yourself 

in puce petals,

fleshy and obnoxious. 

Pungent sideshow freak; 

carrion-stink seductress.

Spectators jostle,

knees weak,

necks craning on 

concertina folds 

for just one glimpse,

fleshy and obnoxious. 

 

https://www.kew.org/plants/titan-arum