“A weed is a flower growing in the wrong place.”
George Washington Carver
Spike-haired, brass-blonde,
they invade the bluegrass suburbs
where blades form a passive sameness
if tended as intended. They strut
across the green of everyday —
strumpets in tattered leafy skirts,
stiletto roots — bestowing downy favors
on the summer breeze.
– Sarah Russell
First published in Your Daily Poem
Photo Source
Sarah Russell Poetry 
Great stuff, Sarah. And an under-rated flower that deserves to be celebrated.
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Thanks, Robert. I agree!
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and this is the perfect description of them. i love dandelions and know i am in the minority )
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I do too, Beth. They seem to thrive despite us rather than because of us.
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And they are helpers of the bees, and so important. I love the description of their blonde raggedy heads. Made me smile.
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Thanks, Sherry. Yes, they say now that you should let them bloom because they are the first nourishment for hummingbirds as well, but I’ve never seen a hummer try one. I just love their attitude!
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Bravo! I like these sexy weeds!
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Thanks! I don’t know how that metaphor came to me, Vivian, but it worked the more I played with it.
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Love the poem. Is the painting yours, as well?
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Oh, I wish. Found it online. My son is the artist. Great stuff. https://www.hankinsfineart.com
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He is amazing! Most of the way, I thought those were photographs, albeit amazing ones. Only when I glanced at the description did I realize they were oils. Wow. I hope you have some of his work hanging on your walls.
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I do have several. Can’t afford him anymore though, and that’s a good thing! 🙂
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My favorite flower, unattended. ::) The Dandelion. As my father once called me.
ZQ
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Yes, a fine way to put it — unattended. And in most lawns, unintended as well. I like them as well.
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Talented family. Have you considered doing a book together?
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No. He does his thing and I do mine. We’re so much alike that I’m not sure that would work. I helped him pack a van once for a show he was in. Let’s just say we’re better as mother and son than we are as partners! And we get along so well in that guise that I’m not going to test it!
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“They strut
across the green of everyday —
strumpets in tattered leafy skirts,
stiletto roots….”
The tarts!!! Nicely done!
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Thanks, Charley!
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You are welcome!
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An underrated flower–your description is both vivid and subtle–just a beautiful write
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Thanks so much! I’m trying to find your blog without much success tonight. I’ll read the poems and see if you’re there so I can visit.
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Yes! I love dandelions!! How are you? Will call tomorrow.
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Thanks, Catherine. I’ll be here until 11:30.
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“if tended as intended”…. I had to stop there and think …of manicured grass and stilettoed strumpets…and life!
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Yes. Thanks, Rajani. Dandelions do symbolize life, don’t they — in spite of everything that tries to do away with them, they endure. Great insight!
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I do love that quote, Sarah, as I love weeds and dandelions in particular. Your personification is superb!
‘strumpets in tattered leafy skirts,
stiletto roots — bestowing downy favors
on the summer breeze’.
Wow!
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Thanks, Kim. Sometimes the poems seem to take on a life of their own. Love it when that happens!
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I have my eye on a dandelion clock paperweight.
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I adore tubular dandelions. A favorite flower in all stages.
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And hit reply before I wrote how perfectly you nailed these great useful plants.
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Thanks, Kris. I think they’re the most fun with toddlers. Teaches them what yellow is, and if they like butter by holding one under their chin (funny how it always turns out they do!), and blowing the down is great fun too.
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One of my favorite bouquet flowers from a kid.
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“stiletto roots “, that’s a good description of them.
dandelions remind me of the wildflowers that grow on the roadsides as i pass them on my way to work or play. the mimosa, the plush grass, the sedges. all hardy and unloved. 🙂
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And surviving in spite of it all. Love that determination!
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This is like people actually… They bring real life to the well tended lawns.
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Yes they do. Great observation. Lawns seem very static unless there’s a little life there.
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A flower loved as a child both blooming yellow or set to fly with the seeds already with parachutes ready I love them still.
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And as we grow older, I think we put up with the not-so-perfect lawn and life. It’s nice to have settled in, isn’t it.
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Ah, you have described dandelions SO well. Actually I love looking at them as I drive along a highway, but am not so fond of them in the backyard. I like ‘spike-haired, brass blonde.’
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Thanks a lot, Mary. And come on. Those bright little patches of yellow in the backyard is what spring is made of! 🙂
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I love this imagery 💕
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Thanks so much!
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Love your words, love dandelions.
Anna :o]
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Thank you, Anna.
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I can see them strutting, even dancing!
This is precious.
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Yes, of course they would dance! Thanks, Magaly.
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Wonderful writing, Sarah! You have a lovely deft touch in your choice of words … light – and yet, so visual and vivid. Rather like ‘bestowing downy favors on the summer breeze’.
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Thanks a lot, Wendy. High praise!
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Love this! The flower children of summer’s greenery.
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Yes, they are, Colleen! Love that concept. Thanks.
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Yes, the weeds so faithful, forever growing in the “wrong” place. Hard to love.
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Oh, I kind of love them for their tenacity and for bright blooms that sort of announce their defiance. Thanks for stopping by, Annell!
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Oh, how I love this! I’ve loved dandelions since childhood, and this poem captures not only the look of them but also that jaunty, insouciant mood they seem to have, as well as the defiance of weeds which grow despite disapproval.
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Thanks, Rosemary. Yes, they’re a favorite of mine too. Easy to identify with their “naughtiness!”
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Sarah, I love every line of this poem. It’s got sass and high heels. Nicely written.
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Thanks a lot, Ali. I love flowers with attitude!
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Reblogged this on flashlight batteries and commented:
This poem by Sarah Russell spoke to me. She made every word count. I believe you will find it a keeper.
Just like the dandelion, each of us has the power to define who we are regardless of the labels that others may try to stick on us.
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Reblogged this on The Cheesesellers Wife and commented:
A great poem from Sarah Russell. Here, in an English winter, the Dandelions are still strutting thier stuff across my back lawn.
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Thanks so much, Kim!
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You’re welcome!
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