FLUFFER, NOT NUTTER

 

What–pray tell–is this eider-down,

Floating on the breeze…

Some describe it swirling around

As stuff from cottonwood trees.

–

Since this is the North East

And cottonwoods live “down South”…

There might be a few around here,

Near a river’s mouth.

–

Hard to imagine,

But I think it is a weed…

Gathered by the roadside

Disgorging all this seed!

–

Those cute dandelion flowers,

A spot of yellow cheer…

So early in the springtime

Have gone to seed for the first time this year.

–

The seeds have fluffy parachutes

That float high on the wind…

We’ll see more of these great clouds,

As the warmth of summer moves in.

–

The dandelion’s tap-root

Is deep and plenty tough…

If anyone wants to cook dandelion greens,

There’ll be way more than enough!!!

 

–Jonathan Caswell