The Butterbur (Petasites vulgaris)

The Butterbur (Petasites vulgaris)

I cannot say I love thy flesh-like flower,
Wild Butterbur; and yet I like to see
It rising through the sand,—sure sign to me
That Spring at last has come, and that the power
Of Titan will increase each day and hour, 5
And thy large leaves will follow into due time;
When, though my manhood has far passed its prime,
I love to see some child (its parents too poor
To purchase parasols) use thy big leaves
To shade itself from Summer’s scorching heat, 10
Whilst older children cool their heated feet
In the clear brook; and wond’ring sheep and beeves
Stand staring at them in the neighb’ring fields;
A pastoral picture which to me can pleasure yield.

George Markham Tweddell
[Sonnets on Trees and Flowers, p. 22]