Wattle
 
It's only a tree
Sometimes tall
Sometimes bushy
Sometimes straggly.
Leaves---just green
Nothing to write home about.
 
But in Spring
it flowers
Buttercup gold
Fine and fragrant
A yellow cloud tree
Flowers of the sun god.
 
Gentle round ball
Delicate
Scented
And soft.
Touch and feel
Bury your face in gold.
 
The land is brown
From drought
The birds parched
 for water.
Yet a straggly bunch of trees
Still flowers with golden delight.

Dawn McDonald
© October 2002

Midi: "Im Fruelingschatten Fand ich Sie"
(I found her in Spring's shadow)
Composer: Franz Schubert

Photo: "Wattle"
(Warringal Conservation Society Inc.)
(Australia)