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DANDELIONS!
by April Halprin Wayland
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Lumbering through the untended edge of my yard,
I spy one fat flower,
stretch my neck, blink to see
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one hundred yellow rays,
lion’s tooth leaves,
and a smooth thick stem
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which drips
savory white sap
as I snap up this small, delicious sun.
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(c) 2011 April Halprin Wayland, all rights reserved
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The story behind the poem:
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Sheldon, whose named used to be Shelly until our vet set us straight, loves dandelions.  So when he wakes up every March and lumbers outside, I give him bouquets of them.  In fact, I’ve become somewhat of a dandelion connoisseur. I’ll stop my car for a thick cluster of them in an empty lot.  I’ve noticed they grow especially large at the dog park.  I don’t like to think about why—I simply pluck them for Sheldon.  He appreciates my presents.
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It’s your turn.  This is another mask poem, a poem written from the point of view of an inanimate object or animal. (Scroll down to April 14th for a poem from a cat’s point of view and more information about mask poems…or if you’re reading this on Facebook, go to http://www.aprilwayland.com/poetry/blog and then scroll down to April 14th)
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What animal will you pick? Â Put yourself in the animal’s mind. Â What object does your animal crave? Â See the object from your animal’s point of view. Put it in a poem.
