Dandelions
in Autumn
Carolyn
Howard-Johnson
Yellow
petals, pollen-soft
like
monarchs' wings.
Little
lions' manes
like
illustrations in childrens'
books,
not like roaring
Serengeti
cats
or
the MGM logo lion, harmless
these.
I pick them, bunch them,
hold
them under Mama's chin
to
see if they light her throat
yellow,
and if they do, delight!
Mother, You like butter! My squeal
bright
in mountain sun. When small
I saw a dark mother, wondered
would
my flowers of fortune
show
yellow on her throat
and
if not, wouldn't that be sad
for
her child, there in her arms
fat
fingers caressing
her
soft earlobe. Today
the golden flowers sprouted
into
silver balloons, turned
to
seed, hoary. I haven't spread
seeds
in years but I pick one.
It
tears milk where I tear its stem
as
if it knows it's late.
I
blow, gently, vaguely
satisfied
that, weeds
or
not, their seeds fly on my breeze,
will
plant wonder on other hills
and
that it is my breath
that
powers them there.
***
Carolyn
Howard-Johnson is the award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally
Series of Books for authors.
Introducing:
The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation
and Ensure Success, now available for pre-orders at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/
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©
Carolyn Howard-Johnson