Dandelions

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Fri, 08 Feb 2019
  • 3979 reads
12 comments
 

It was quite recently I read this appeal
which at first glance seemed unreal:
“Don't spray or pull dandelions, please,
they're the first source of food for bees.”
I did not think that insects had the need
to be sustained by a troublesome weed.
The more I read, the more I understood
that this unloved plant can also be good.
Although its appearance is not aesthetic
it has proved most effective as a diuretic.
The dent-de-lion may be made into wine
and this application sounds actually fine.
To this humble plant I have been unkind
but it looks as if I must change my mind;
admit that it is time to accept with jollity
this botanical growth's restorative quality.

© Luigi Pagano 2019

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Ed Crane on

wash a root well and grind into slithers

add them to water and boil it up

then filter the liquid into a cup

drink it down, its good for your liver!

 

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Thanks for the recipe Ed. Simple enough to follow. smiley

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I hadn't heard they might be useful nectar sources of bees. I have written a couple of shorties about them in the past, on the cheeriness when they open after drizzle has stopped and along the roadside as 'dandy lions'! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Rhiannon.

I came across that information from a shared photo on Facebook. Here is the link if you are interested:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10217936963992767&set=gm.5259638...

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I think it's also a diuretic so don't have Ed's drink and go on a long car journey!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I thoroughly agree that it wouldn't be a wise move! smiley

Luigi x

P.S. Thanks for the cherries.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Always in awe of those who can make rhyme look so easy, but this poem is about wildlife so it's great for two reasons! And it's as jolly as the flower is. I have read several beautiful dandelion poems on ABC but this is the first with such a clear message about how important they are.

Also, thankyou for posting the facebooj link, that looks really interesting! Cat is tapdancing on my keyboard but I will look at it later

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I am very pleased to hear that you appreciate this poem, Di, and that the message comes across loud and clear. 
Your reference to the cat dancing on your keyboard reminds me of my daughter's cat who several times disconnected the phone conversation while she was in mid sentence to me, by jumping on the keys.
Thanks for reading and your kind words.

Luigi x

 

 

 

Submitted by Nolan on

I've heard of this and do they have composite flowers? It looks that way from the photo. Where does the name come from? Dandy-lions!?

See you Luigi keep well! &

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Yes, they do, Nolan. The name comes from the French 'dents-de-lion' which means 'lion's teeth', referring to the jagged leaves of the pretty weed.

Your comment is very welcome. Best wishes. 
Luigi

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so glad to see you're giving support to the dandelion in such an inspiring way Luigi.

I add the leaves from the garden to salad in the summer, they're an acquired taste, but I enjoy them and they're free, so that's an added bonus.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Jenny, I have read that the leaves are edible but haven't tasted them. I leave it to my wife to experiment with dandelions, nasturtiums and other vegetation. I am not that adventurous when it comes to salads. 

Luigi xx