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!”.