Dandelion Dilemma

Written 12 years ago... 
this bearer of dandelions bouquets will be 17 this summer.

As your 5 year old comes and silently stands beside you,

       you vigorously dig your long "dandelion root destroyer"
       5 inches into the ground with one hand,
       and pull at the plant with the other hand
       till the whole thing comes out of the ground.
          Satisfied, you move to the next plant.

Quietly your 5 year old asks you what you are doing?
       And you (with no small amount of guilt)
       recall  the little hands gripping precious yellow flowers,
       bringing them into the kitchen with kisses
       and promises that he will always bring you flowers...
       every day when he is five, and then when he gets older
        and even when he is a Grandpa,
       he'll always bring you flowers.

              The promise is sealed with a kiss.   

Sitting on the grass

     with my 5 year old's arms around me,

     and a memory of a bright yellow bouquet

        on my kitchen table,

I wonder who thought to call them weeds.