15 Comments
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Brit McReynolds's avatar

Beautiful. Love where this one ended up in form, and most especially the end with that quote from Saint Julian of Norwich.

Emily Griswold Bunty's avatar

Yes! I too loved the St Jillian quote

Thomas McKendry's avatar

The Hopkins is strong with this one. ;)

James's avatar

Amazing, particularly that final line. In stanza three, is it brambles AND the dandelions that will inherit the Earth, or just the dandelions? If the brambles are included, it's an interesting way of showing how the Curse which produced them is turned to good despite its evil origins, and I was wondering if that was intentional. Brilliant either way!

Kilby Austin's avatar

Yes, the brambles is intentional—like dandelions they’re prolific and near impossible to kill, and despite being considered a pest they bear nourishing fruit. I also liked the sound of the repetition, and how the repetition illustrates the brambles’ proliferation.

Thank you for reading and commenting!

Joffre Swait's avatar

It's important to be undisdainful.

Ann Collins's avatar

I love your contemplative daffodil. Julian's prayer in flower form!!

And Kilby, CONGRATULATIONS to YOU!!! I'm looking forward to enjoying your book in June.

Kilby Austin's avatar

Thank you, Ann! I’m looking forward to you enjoying it too!

Emily Griswold Bunty's avatar

Where will we be able to purchase the book? I want to buy a signed copy!!!

Rachel Bowron's avatar

I can relate to this Kilby. Those daffodils lift our eyes from the mess. What joy they bring to us.

Abigail's avatar

I love this, Kilby. You capture both my grief and hope.

Amy Horan's avatar

Ah, Hopkins peeping in, too. Lovely

Clara York's avatar

Beautiful! And congratulations on the book!!

Joan's avatar

Kilby, This homage to the lowly dandelion is wonderful. I also have written about the dandelion as a harbinger of imminent spring and the resurgence of all things growing into their fullness. It makes me smile as when I see this butter flower sprout up in winter between the sidewalk cracks, it reminds me that nothing fazes this gift from God to remind us we must always smile and stay tall during difficult and wonderful times. You captured it well.