Poppies Must Remain Reserved Poem by gershon hepner

POPPIES MUST REMAIN RESERVED


Poppies must remain reserved
in the sunshine in a field.
Yellow petals gently stirred
by the breeze remain unsealed
till the night falls or a gust
of wind blasts, when they choose to hide
their beauty, for they do not trust
the darkness, or what blows inside
the flower, which is like a maid
whom curfew in the night protects,
sequestered in a Sabbath shade
from dark thoughts of having sex.

Inspired by a visit to the California Poppy Reserve, where the poppies are more splendid and prolific that I have ever seen them.

4/24/08