When Erica over at Verselove offered an invitation to write about flowers, I knew immediately that I would write about the California state flower: the golden poppy. Poppy’s feel like my alter ego–they open up in the warmth of the sun and close and duck their heads when the weather cools and the sky is cloudy.

On my first day back in the classroom after a week away for spring break, I knew I wasn’t up for the technicalities of crafting a villanelle. Instead I opted for the simplicity and constraint of an etheree: a ten line poem that begins with one syllable and builds to ten in that tenth line.

Ode to the California Golden Poppy

Pop

of gold

on roadsides

California

golden poppies sing

delicate beautiful

dancing in the warm breezes

It’s spring! I’m here! Pay attention!

Carpets of gold ignite the hillsides

pure California sun in a blossom

@kd0602