Poems

The Lesser Celandine

The Lesser Celandine

As snowdrops fade, and seek their rest,
A cheerful flower is at its best.
A gladdened heart will soon be mine,
To heed the Lesser Celandine!

Each bright, starred bloom, a tiny sun,
Each fragrant note, a tuneful hum,
Yellow paths will line your way,
As smiling faces light the day.

Glossed sheens welcome everyone,
Polished faces dress to stun,
Showing the world their vibrant wares,
Abandoning bashful, brushing off cares!

When skies are grey each weary head,
Folds its petals and retires to bed,
Patiently waiting for hazy days,
To open their hearts to sun-drenched rays.

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1st April 2019

Our first Spring in Llangunllo was in 2018. During that time, I came across these cheery, prolific, yellow wild flowers growing in the lanes, that I’d never seen before. Their petals looked like buttercups, only a different shape to what I’d been used to seeing in the city. I’ve since found out, that they are, indeed, from the family of buttercups, or Ranunculaceae, but known commonly as Lesser Celandine or Pilewort. The lanes are now glowing yellow from these little beauties, & the many daffodils still in bloom..lovely! When it’s cloudy, or getting darker, all the Lesser Celandine petals close up..sweet!

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10 thoughts on “The Lesser Celandine”

  1. Peter's pondering says:

    There are so many beautiful flowers that largely go unnoticed. In towns and cities we miss so much by not looking up. In the countryside we miss so much by not looking down!

    1. Debbie Jones says:

      How true that is, Peter, & I was guilty of both! However, when I got a bit more serious about photography, I started to address it, & still try to practice looking up when visiting new towns, cities etc. Moving to the country is like seeing with new eyes! The growth & decay of everything around me is absolutely fascinating, & I cant get enough of it. Being fairly close to the ground, at five feet nothing, helps too! ?

      1. Peter's pondering says:

        My wife beats that, she is five feet and half an inch!

        1. Debbie Jones says:

          Haha! At least I’d be able to high five her & reach! ?

  2. G.Edward Smith says:

    Love this one. So beautifully written.

    1. Debbie Jones says:

      Thank you so very much for those kind words, Edward. They’re such cheery little flowers. I never thought I’d write a rhyming poem about a flower with such an unusual name. ?

  3. Tish Farrell says:

    Lovely, Debbie. Haven’t the celandines been brilliant this year. Great carpets of them where I don’t remember carpets before. I still feel the childhood excitment at finding the ‘first ones’ of spring.

    1. Debbie Jones says:

      Thank you very much indeed, Tish. Yes, they’ve been a pleasure to look at, especially shining away when it’s been sunny. I hadn’t come across them before we moved here, so I think I’m having that childhood excitement a little late in life, but so glad that I am! ?

  4. ivor20 says:

    Your awareness of the spring flowers, admiredly shines through in beautiful words…..

    1. Debbie Jones says:

      Thank you very much indeed, Ivor..I’m still learning about them, but love to see a new bloom appear & try to identify it..but the Lesser Celandine plants are carpeting the grass at the moment, lovely! ☺️

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