Associated with the golden maned lion with valour and bravery

It is the herb of the sun following its sojourn with lovelorn eyes

Representing the golden halo around Mary’s head

They are flowers of the Virgin Mary adorning her altar

Used by her in lieu of coins of gold

Symbolising passion and creativity, these blossoms

Open at dawn and bloom till three in afternoon

After which the warm and aureate solar glory fades away into dusk 

The last of the celestial beams of gold dying away at twilight

Heaving the last sigh of colourful resplendence on the cerulean expanse

Called the ‘drunkards’ they turned folks into alcoholics

As they plucked these bright blooms or gazed at them for long

Used as love charms in garlands and posies

They prophecied a storm if they did not bloom in the morn

Dreaming of them brought future prosperity and riches

This birth flower of October flowers all year through

Hence called the ‘little clock’ or the ‘little calender’

Red flecks seen on the bright petals are blood drops

Those shed by the Aztecs by Cortez’ Conquistadors

Mixed with roses in a floral vase, sweet sorrows of love

And when befriended by the poppy they whisper

Of soothing the agrieved soul

Also symbolising constancy in the love relation

And called ‘husbandman’s dial’ a powerful aphrodisiac

Associated with pain, anger and grief, unfavorable omen in love

Used in love divination if picked at noon

They strengthen and provide comfort to the heart

A girl stepping bare feet on its petals knew the birds’ language

Kept under the pillow it brought prophetic dreams

Blossoming when the golden rays of warm summers

Begin to fade into the mellow light of earthy autumn

On the Day of the Dead it leads the spirit to the altars

In its face is reflected the face of a woman gone

Insane in the throes of love unrequited and won by another

And in its smile shines the love of Caltha who pined away

In love with the sun god and turned into marigold

Its plantations are akin to Nature’s seas of gold

Their pungent odour lessens the charm of incandescent petals

But they smile proudly , gloriously in the sun

Adoring it with reverent lovelorn eyes

And forming a floral bridge between life and afterlife

Oblivious of the decline in repute by pungent breath…