L Milton Hankins Poet Quatrain

Daylilies

I ambled along near fencerow newly built
Running my fingers through the tall daylilies,
Each trumpeting bloom at the top of a lanky stilt
Bringing back memories of mountain hillbillies.

My father once said the daylilies were intrusive
But I thought them lovely mid-summer blooms,
It was clear to me they never sought to be elusive
Showing giant reddish-orange and yellow plumes.

Very little tending the daylilies need to flourish
They'll make an appearance yearly in proliferation,
Not requiring an especially rich soul to nourish
Their profusion caused my father exasperation.

I don’t know why he despised them so, since
They certainly did no harm while volunteering 
I have always thought them lovely near a fence
As I amble, they sway and wave like cheering. 

Written July 15, 2022

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Caren Krutsinger July 17, 2022 at 10:20 PM I love a day lily! Maybe your dad did not like beauty or just liked despising things? L Milton Hankins July 18, 2022 at 8:30 AM Somehow I think you are right, Caren. He just despised liking some things.

Michael Tor July 15, 2022 at 8:38 PM Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your dad did not see what you saw. We have them in our back yard and they are beautiful. I'm with you Milton... L Milton Hankins July 16, 2022 at 9:20 AM Thanks, Michael. I'll never know what he had against daylilies, but he despised them and would mow them down all the time. It was strange. They must have evoked some deep resentment or something in him. In some ways he was a strange man, actually.

Ann Foster July 15, 2022 at 2:48 PM they sound lovely. I think I would like them too. Great stuff. Ann L Milton Hankins July 15, 2022 at 2:56 PM Thank you so much, Ann. I always love hearing from you.

Jim Slaughter July 15, 2022 at 1:38 PM I've never heard of "daylilies", L M, but they seem perfectly charming to me, too, L M. L Milton Hankins July 15, 2022 at 1:50 PM Jim, they resemble Easter lilies, but they are a bright red-orange or yellow in color. They are also very easy to grow, compared to the traditional Easter lily. The poem pretty well describes them, but I'd suggest you Google them and see a good picture.