Dandelion Bouquets

Oh how thankful I am for grubby little boy hands filled with clumps of wilting dandelions.

The Stargazer Lily

Of all flowers

Reigns supreme

On my list

*

Not for its beauty

But for its meaning

 *

‘Twas the first blossom

                        Given me by the man

                                                I will forever love

 *

Placed on my pillow

By the gentle hands of

The thief of my heart

 *

But the Dandelion

Oh the Dandelion

Follows close behind

 *

Not for its beauty

But for its meaning

*

‘Twas the first blossom

                        Given me by three little men

                                                I will forever love

 *

Presented in dirty fistfuls

By boys with beaming faces

The thieves of my heart

 *

Surely my days of dandelion bouquets are coming to a close.

 *

For beaming little boys

Do not stay little

And in growing awareness

Of the world

*

They learn

Dandelions are weeds

Of little value

 *

What they do not comprehend

Is the value lies not in the bouquet

But in the giver of the gift

 *

A beaming dirty-fisted boy

Eager to show his mama his love