A Botanical Conundrum
Indecision
Yesterday my garden seemed
to have reached the maximum
growth of that common flower
of the genus Taraxacum
that we know as dandelions,
a name that translates
from French as teeth of lions.
This specimen of a plant
that may be thought a weed
will in a couple of weeks
ripen fully and go to seed.
This fact raised in my mind
a very relevant question:
as loads covered the lawn
should I keep them on
or curtail their longevity
by letting the power mower
raze them to the ground?
Considering that their life
was one of relative brevity
I decided to let them be.
© Luigi Pagano 2021
© ionicus 2023
Views: 500
Thanks Luigi, a poem with much at its heart, or roots? And what is they say? The difference between a flower and a weed is a judgement.
Yes, Gordon but judgement depends on knowledge. I am an ignoramus about botany and I have to ask my wife whether a growth is a plant or a weed.
A good thing to save the dandelions (paardenbloem here). Very underrated plant these days. Used for centuries for nutritious food and its medicinal properties.
Very true, Guam. In 2019 I wrote a poem entitled ‘Dandelions’ that underlined the beneficial qualities of the flower besides being the source of food for bees. I don’t know if it was ever posted on this site.but it can be read here https://www.abctales.com/story/luigipagano/dandelions