GIFT OF LOVE

She heard her sobbing child and opened up the door
a shaking form lay cross the bed, a jar lay on the floor
She rested down and touched the girl who turned her weeping head
With difficulty heard the choken words the child said
"Someone took your flowers that I picked outside for you!
I searched and found a little jar that they would fit into
But when I went for water, Someone ruined them!
they pulled the pretty tops apart and all they left was stem!
I went to pick some others where I had been before
I looked and looked, but Mama, there wasn't anymore!"
The mother rocked her little girl and soothed with tender word.
She stayed until her daughter's peaceful breath in sleep was heard.
Her heart swelled at the thought of her child's gift of love
then walked out in the gardern where the sun shone warm above.
As she stepped she came upon a pile of strewn stems
She picked them up and gazed at them as if at precious gems
Long stems, green and sturdy, dandelions mature
Whose fuzzy petals victims of the wind, their saboteur
Later when the young girl rose and to the kitchen came
The stems were in the jar there, but they didn't look the same
Adorned with pretty ribbon, they stood with grace and style
and she filled with pride inside her heart to see her mother's smile.

12/05/00
Published in May 2001 issue of Poetic License Magazine