The Dandelion
I was walking in the meadow one fine and sunny day,
When I perchance came across a dandelion on the way.
I kneeled down with intent, as I was feeling particularly gay,
But with my hand around the stem, heard a gasp and then “Hey!”.
I looked down at woeful eyes upon me,
And could not believe what my own did see.
“Your hold is tight, and I can barely breathe,
I beg of you, Sir, to please let me be.”
I jumped back in wonder and awe,
And looked around to see if others saw.
But it was just me and save a bird’s caw,
With a talking flower (or my mind’s gargantuan flaw).
I sat next to the Dandelion, whose name I learned was Fred.
And we chatted all afternoon of the things we most dread.
As the sun set and my tummy rumbled, I said,
“Fred, I will return on the morrow, or you can count me dead.”
I returned daily for our afternoon rambles
As Fred shared many saucy scandals.
And my heart flamed bright like a burning candle,
When I started to fear he would one day be trampled.
The next day I hauled bricks for his home,
But half-way realized he needed sun to be grown.
So I went back and found a small, glass dome,
Now Fred would have a home he could call his very own.
Fred was thrilled to be protected from deadly feet,
And after securing his home, I went and took a seat.
I set out a picnic full of cheeses and sweets,
Looked at my friend, and said “Fred, I’m so glad we did meet.”
The next day I returned with a bounce in my air,
But stopped dead in my tracks and could do nothing but stare.
I had to ask after seeing his head of white hair,
“Fred, my friend, did you take on a great scare?”
Fred did chuckle, but replied with desolate tone,
“This would have been easier if I lived a life alone,
But our friendship has been like the sword and the stone.
For Nature, our King, has come to claim with wind blown.”
I choked back my tears and refused to believe,
“This home will protect you, there’s no need to grieve.”
But I knew I was being selfish and completely naive,
So I told our story starting from our friendship’s eve.
With a rock in my heart and a heavy sigh,
I told Fred, “I don’t want to say good-bye”.
With those same woeful eyes, I did see him cry,
“At least you’ll be able to see me fly.”
The dome lifted and Fred was all around me,
I could not believe what my eyes did see,
The pain was great and I could barely breathe,
But I did what I was told, and I let Fred be.
I was back in the meadow one fine and sunny day,
When I perchance came across many dandelions on the way.
My eyes flooded, as I was feeling particularly gay,
And my heart fluttered when I heard small gasps and then “Hey!”.