Popular Studies of California Wild Flowers 25 



uproot this jewel of wild flowerdom, but only to feed that coarse 

 passion which delights in destroying flowers and killing birds. So 

 ravaged are those once joyously laden fields that now one must 

 actually seek them, as one looks for the big trees, in certain seques- 

 tered spots. 



"California should enact a law protecting its remaining poppies, 

 because to get a sight of those golden fields has taken many a trav- 

 eler to the coast; and California's natural beauties are assets which 

 the Californians will be wise in safeguarding against foreign 

 vandalism and native gluttony." 



California Poppy 



(Copa De Oro) 



Thy satin vesture richer is than looms 



Of Orient weave for raiment of her kings! 

 Not dyes of olden Tyre, not precious things 

 Regathered from the long-forgotten tombs' 

 Of buried empires, not the Iris plumes 

 That wave upon the tropics' myriad wings, 

 Not all proud Sheba's queenly offerings 

 Could match the golden marvel of thy blooms, 

 For thou art nurtured from the treasure-veins 

 Of this fair land; thy golden rootlets sup 

 Her sands of gold of gold thy petals spun. 

 Her golden glory, thou! on hills and plains 

 Lifting, exultant, every kingly cup 

 Brimmed with the golden vintage of the sun. 

 INA COOLBRITH. 



