Zinnias 101 & The Color Parade

Zinnias, so many colors, 

a feast for the eyes seen from a distance

like a spilled box of crayons at the gardens edge.

 If I had a few bucks in my shallow pockets,

I'd get serious about these deer deterrents of

so many shapes, sizes and colors. 

 My packet of seeds came from a discount shelf

at the local discount merchandise store.

Oh, but they still put on quite a show.

 They come in every shade of coral to orange, red and pink.

Even the brightest of yellows and winter whites.

The petals are ruffled,

 some tattered, skirts that twirl,

faces that smile with tiny golden singular centers,

 angelic skirts flipped up in the wind,

 reds, bright as the ripest apple,

kissed by the sun.

 Some of the petals are pointing straight outward,

 others round their tips, inviting the bee to look-see.

 The lemony yellows are a favorite of mine.

They remind me that summer is not yet over, 

but just beginning to wane, 

inviting the colors of fall to ' be still my heart.'

The grasshopper takes a sip of nectar,  

perhaps his last before resting awhile.  Oh,

it seems fall is coming too early this year,

we already see leaves on the maples turning.

 Just enjoy the last couple of months of summer

and all the color and scent she provides.

Winter could come as early as Oct. for us northerners.

Let's hope not, let's really hope not!

 The zinnia fall color parade

is but a reminder,

of the richest soil Mother Earth has provided.

But then, a few bright pink seeds have germinated

just to keep us in the warmth of summer.

 I was fooled, thinking summer was over,

when, it was only a color show 

provided by my zinnia patch. 

This last zinnia seems to be waving a goodbye~~~

or is it 'hello'

Not meaning to get all poetic and mushy,

sometimes these things just cannot be helped.

I hope you enjoyed the variations of a sad little

packet of cheap seeds.  I rather have enjoyed

their prolific blooms and their ' color parade '

dressing up my disfigured garden, all torn to bits

from so much trampling, gathering, cutting and keeping.

Have as wonderful a week as I have had a day.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by.

BlessYourHearts