Bold As a Dandelion

Is it enough to imagine nature,

to search for it in a book, 

or thumb through a picture 

album trying to remember

the smell of grass after rain?

In April’s classroom resilience

is taught by dandelions

as they transform from yellow suns

to whisps of seeded moon

in the crushing footprint of sidewalks.

I cannot live in artificial or forget

the lessons and gifts the unruly,

defiant yellow flowers taught me.

They do much more than survive.

Dandelions thrive wherever they land.

 

Dandelions were the first bouquet

I ever chose to bring my mother, 

my earliest companions in my barefoot

chase across green grass.

I have no shame in admitting I have

such allegiance to a weed.

Life too often has not been kind,

nor circumstances hopeful, but 

thanks to a dandelion I clutched

so tightly I’ve learned to stand

 and grow in impossible.

©Susie Clevenger 2025

NaPoWriMo  Day 18