Gerbera noir: or recasting cheerful

Gerberas. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.

The gerbera is such an uncomplicated flower; unburdened by deep metaphorical significance. Blooms like lilies and roses carry enormous cultural baggage, but with a gerbera, what you see is what you get.

If gerberas were characters in a genre movie, they’d be the under-valued, ever-supportive, wise-cracking best friend. The botanic equivalent of Thelma Ritter.

But of course, genre rules can be broken. The side-kick can become the star; mysterious and complicated. Can we re-imagine gerberas at the heart of a romantic tragedy; Brief Encounter, Love Story, Moulin Rouge?

“I’ve fallen in love. I didn’t think such violent things could happen to ordinary people.” — Laura, Brief Encounter. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.

“I know that this is the beginning of the end. Not the end of my loving you but the end of our being together. But not quite yet, darling. Please. Not quite yet.” — Alec, Brief Encounter. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.

Or film noir?

“When your head says one thing and your whole life says another, your head always loses.” — Frank McLeod, Key Largo. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.

“With my brains and your looks, we could go places.” — Frank Chambers, The Postman Always Rings Twice. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.

This post was written for Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge at Lens and Pens by Sally.