HEMEROCALLIS 
Beauty for a day, you say? 
But I say not for just a day— 
You forget those shiny ebony seeds, 
Lovelier than any bright onyx beads. 
You forget those emerald fair wings 
As they first appear for their earthly fling. 
So soon they become a ramet, a fan, 
So rich and broad and green beside the path of man. 
You forget the tiny curled scape 
As it slowly unfurls for beauty’s gay escape. 
Ne’er can you forget those buds—tiny, but like the fern fronds, 
Some so pale, so dainty, some rare, holding beauty untold. 
Then the first flower—so pale, or bright or very bold. 
Beauty for a day, you say? 
No, I say, not for just a day, 
But beauty for each true gardener from May till May. 
WE Re 
