the dandelion
Y tal vez, a la noche,
cuando el viento abanique su copa,
embriagada de gozo le cuente:
¡Hoy a mí me dijeron hermosa!
--La higuera, por Juana de Ibarbourou
do not disdain the dandelion, the common weed, Taraxacum officinale
so often overlooked, uprooted as a common garden pest,
taraxacum can be served as the wine that carries springtime,
its leaves can nurture the body of a man
a dandelion will never a sultry orchid be
nor will it project the classic beauty of a rose;
but if you look at dandelions with admiration
the sun will come alive in its bright petals
I get so distracted by dandelions
my eyes seek them out in any garden.
I remember saying one day, "no garden is a real garden
without at least a blooming dandelion."
I've spent many a summer afternoon enjoying dandelions in bloom
and my heart gains so much pleasure
from watching bees, the honeybees and bumblebees
visit and enjoy the sweetest nectar it harbors
the elegant butterflies, goldfinches and house sparrows
all stop along to pay their tribute to the dandelions;
so many times I pass by someone gardening, clearing off
the dandelions, the pesky weed that ruins the garden
"stop," I want to say, "stop!"
but how will I help them feel the sun?
cuando el viento abanique su copa,
embriagada de gozo le cuente:
¡Hoy a mí me dijeron hermosa!
--La higuera, por Juana de Ibarbourou
do not disdain the dandelion, the common weed, Taraxacum officinale
so often overlooked, uprooted as a common garden pest,
taraxacum can be served as the wine that carries springtime,
its leaves can nurture the body of a man
a dandelion will never a sultry orchid be
nor will it project the classic beauty of a rose;
but if you look at dandelions with admiration
the sun will come alive in its bright petals
I get so distracted by dandelions
my eyes seek them out in any garden.
I remember saying one day, "no garden is a real garden
without at least a blooming dandelion."
I've spent many a summer afternoon enjoying dandelions in bloom
and my heart gains so much pleasure
from watching bees, the honeybees and bumblebees
visit and enjoy the sweetest nectar it harbors
the elegant butterflies, goldfinches and house sparrows
all stop along to pay their tribute to the dandelions;
so many times I pass by someone gardening, clearing off
the dandelions, the pesky weed that ruins the garden
"stop," I want to say, "stop!"
but how will I help them feel the sun?