Dandelions

We love this poem, by New Zealand herbalist Richard Whelan, about how herbalists and naturopaths may sing the praises of herbs differently but no one but the herb itself can say exactly how it is.

Dandelions

A bouquet of herbalists squeezed into my rooms today, to talk about dandelions

Historical herbalist warmed the topic with Jaundiced Cholerics, French Bed-Wetters and 'Failing-to-Thrive' children who grew like weeds themselves once they starting taking this essence of Earth

Brown-bottle herbalist witnessed Dandelion's persuasive, enlivening charm to today's tired patients

Science herbalist eloquently enthused about Dandelion's inulins, FOS's and fatty acids

Romantic herbalist described golden fairies dancing 'Doctrines of Signatures' over Kingly roots

Political herbalist gave a speech on the bland lawn of convention and the vital necessity of weeds

Then a Hands-on herbalist produced some dandelion extract to do the rounds

whereupon everyone stopped talking for a while while the herb spoke for itself

and somehow it showed us that our differences fade into utter insignificance

when we remember the least of what it is that binds us together 

References

Whelan R. Dandelions. R.J.Whelan Ltd c2011 (updated Winter 2011; accessed 23 Jun 2023). Available from https://rjwhelan.co.nz/poetry/dandelions.html