Ode to Yarrow

I will pluck the yarrow fair

That more brave shall be my hand

That more warm shall be my lips

That more swift shall be my foot

May I an island be at sea

May I a rock be on land

That I can afflict any man

No man can afflict me

    ~ from The Carmina Gadelica

There among sweet wildflowers
pale milky yarrow stands
With a cluster of tiny blossoms
and frilly lime leafy strands

Lost among the primary brilliance
of more colorful flowers
Attracting petite winged pollinators
gathering its golden dust showers

Common starlings pluck it
to line their mossy twig nests
Tucking it in among the sticks
to ward off parasitic pests

Yarrow has ancient mystical powers
there are who choose to believe
Achilles carried it for his army
a panacea for wounds to heal

It’s believed yarrow love is a lasting love
taking forever to establish and begin
But once it’s growing it will always endure
Even with harsh neglect the love will sustain

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 24 years and their latest rescue, Jackson “Jax” Lyberg. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com and view anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page