Dandelion

How could it be

oh fringe headed flower

that among my students

you are virtually unknown

a flower so common

it is called a weed

chopped down

weeded out

and cut down

whenever seen

a flower so common

we all knew your name

how you grew

and not to encourage you

to spread yourself so far

How can it be

that my students do not know

that to blow upon your fluffy seeds

is it’s own miracle

and yet

a wish is granted

to those who spread your

bright yellow flower

across the land

blow it now

and seeds will spread

some care not

they do not worry

about your wide leaves

that spread so quick

but others

more fastidious will clench

their jaws or their tight fists

they care not for

your strong broad, leaves

not when they are featured

on their perfectly manicured lawns.

Blow that seed pod

blow it hard now

for they say that

the number of seeds that remain

is equal to

the number of children you will bear.

blow it hard if

if you blow it at all

you cannot afford the thirty

sure to hang on to the pod itself

if blow you must

then blow with vigor

blow it hard

just don’t think to stop.

for the children

you would bear

if you count them all completely

would fill a school

a daycare

or at least a baseball team

Your leaves so broad and full green

can be sautéed for

a spring tonic

sauté them well

so they’re not bitter

but not as bitter

as coffee from your root

How can it be

that the golden blossoms

we weaved into chains

to wear in our hair

or around our necks

is not known

to my young students

so I must teach them

to love you as I do

to know your talents

your magic

your promise.

If so it be

as so it seems

I will be teacher

of all things

Dandelion.

(written for day seven of Month of Poetry. I decided to use a photograph from my file as inspiration.)