Flower for the Day Zinnia 7-24-24

This has not yet been a great year for zinnias. We have literally had only a few despite sowing many seeds. 

Zinnias are in the aster family. There are more coming up finally in a field circle and at the edge of the woods.

So it goes.

      Alessio and the Zinnias

One summer — was he eight? —

They gave him the seed packet

Along with a 2' by 4'

Slice of the estate.

To grow, to grow — grim law

Without appeal!

He, after all

Kept growing every day.  …

Now this redundant chore.

Up sprouted green enough

For the whole canton, had one known to thin it.

Michaelmas found him eye to eye

With a gang of ruffians

Not maskable indoors,

Whose gaudy, wooden attitudes

("Like pine cones in drag")

Thee was scant question of endorsing

—Much as our droll friend, their legatee

Would reap from them over the years. For instance:

Think twice before causing 

Just anything to be.

Then: Hold your head high in the stinking

Throngs of kind.

Joyously assimilate the sun.

Never wear orange or pink.  

 

James Merrill