The Dandy of Lions

Cousin of the daisy, and born on summer's breeze, It becomes a bright seedling of pale, green leaves. In sunshine, it grows, as its edges become jagged, Like a shooting star whose course goes zig-zagged! Maturity brings longer leaves that spread around, And milky roots that sink deeply into the ground. When by some mystery calendar, at uncertain hour, A lovely, yellow bloom captures you in its power! The flower at last becomes a small, brown fruit, For another generation is in summertime pursuit; And the pappus disperses new seeds to the breeze, To grow in foreign meadows and sunlit valleys!