Good zinnia

 A good Zinnia

john clare

a good zinnia

is not a common thing

i am finding

one is growing

on its own

not of my planting

coming up tall

among the lilies

towering over them

a beacon to

passing

fritillaries

zebras

tigers

sulphurs

skippers

buckeyes

swallowtails

hummers

coming frequently

knowing this is

a good zinnia

the old kind

with plenty of room

to land and walk

around the petals

giving nectar enough

for the migrating

and the staying

oh for a yard full of

good zinnia's

not the dollar general ones

i begged to grow

but the old stock

like daddy grew

that gave beauty 

and food to the passing

transients not looking

for a hand out but

grateful for spending

some time with a

good Zinnia.