Dandelion Poem by L C Vieira

O’ much maligned Dandelion,
bright beauty butchered down!
You try so hard each year to grow,
to share your hope with zeal to show
the lords of lawn more than a weed
for only bitter wine and tea
or tossed in salads, hidden leaves,
those few and sorry, far between.

I heard you once were runner-up
to some dainty chosen sacred flora.
Hang on to that power!
Boldly spread your colors with each hour!

Come then spring and gardeners!
Dare pull with tools and toxins, hard
in maddening frenzy to discard
that brightest pride in stance apart
from nature’s wise and spreading art.