TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ The Life of a Poppy

The Poppies, Papaver somnifera, are still magnificent.
From this shy curtsying bud bending her head,







to the proud young girl standing tall.



throwing off her shackles she invites in her admirers



and shares her bounty with all comers.



They come in droves, all hungering for succour
are sated at her breast.

At night she shuts her doors to rest.

Enduring wind and rain with fortitude and using it to

adorn herself with miriads of rubies

until, reaching the height of maturity and power,
she begins to fade yet increases in beauty

even as she fades away.

Please enlarge at least the last two shots to see the

the wonder of glistening raindrops.

Thank you to Luiz Santilli Jr. and the Flower team

for hosting this beautiful meme.